STI: oncoproteins of high-risk HPV: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · STI: oncoproteins of high-risk HPV

Sample item

By which mechanism do the oncoproteins of high-risk HPV types contribute to cervical and anogenital cancer?

AE6 promotes degradation of p53 and E7 inactivates RbBE2 activates the ras oncogeneCL1 and L2 capsid proteins block apoptosisDE6 inactivates Rb and E7 degrades p53

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. E6 promotes degradation of p53 and E7 inactivates Rb

High-risk HPV E6 binds p53 and targets it for degradation, while E7 binds and inactivates the retinoblastoma protein, so cells escape cell cycle control and apoptosis. Together they cause cell immortalisation and malignant progression.

Option by option

A. E6 promotes degradation of p53 and E7 inactivates Rb (correct)
Correct. E6 targets p53 and E7 targets Rb.
B. E2 activates the ras oncogene
E2 regulates viral transcription and does not activate ras.
C. L1 and L2 capsid proteins block apoptosis
L1 and L2 are structural capsid proteins and do not block apoptosis.
D. E6 inactivates Rb and E7 degrades p53
This reverses the actions of E6 and E7.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, E6 promotes degradation of p53 and E7 inactivates Rb. High-risk HPV E6 binds p53 and targets it for degradation, while E7 binds and inactivates the retinoblastoma protein, so cells escape cell cycle control and apoptosis.

Why is "E2 activates the ras oncogene" not the answer?

E2 regulates viral transcription and does not activate ras.

Why is "L1 and L2 capsid proteins block apoptosis" not the answer?

L1 and L2 are structural capsid proteins and do not block apoptosis.

Why is "E6 inactivates Rb and E7 degrades p53" not the answer?

This reverses the actions of E6 and E7.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: oncoproteins of high-risk HPV in Dermatology. Together they cause cell immortalisation and malignant progression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study STI: oncoproteins of high-risk HPV?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.