Crystal structures of the μ2 subunit of clathrin-adaptor protein 2 in complex with peptides derived from human papillomavirus 16 E7.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause abnormal cellular proliferation, leading to malignant or benign lesions, such as cervical cancer and warts. The genome of HPV16, the most prevalent high-risk oncogenic genotype within the Alphapapillomavirus genus, encodes two oncoproteins. One of these proteins, E7, interacts with multiple host proteins and modulates their functions through distinct pathways. The CR2 domain of HPV16 E7 was recently reported to interact with the μ2 subunit of clathrin-adaptor protein 2 (AP2-μ2), an adaptor complex involved in cargo internalization during clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In this study, to provide molecular insights into their intermolecular interactions, we determined the crystal structures of AP2-μ2 in complex with the HPV16 E7-derived peptides. Subsequent biochemical analyses revealed that this interaction is primarily maintained by the Y-x-x-Φ motif and further supported by acidic cluster residues of HPV16 E7. Finally, sequence alignment of the E7 CR2 domains from various HPV genotypes showed that the AP2-μ2-binding motif is largely conserved in Alpha-, Beta-, and Mupapillomaviruses, but not in Nu- and Gammapapillomaviruses.