Papillomavirus and the p53 protein

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are among the most widespread sexually transmitted infections: around 70-80% of the sexually active population will come into contact with these viruses during their sexual lives.The p53 protein is a transcription factor that plays an important role in cancer controlling the cell cycle and interacting with dozens of genes. Viral oncogenesis is a multi-step process largely dependent on the complex interaction between viruses and host factors.