Abstract: High-risk human papillomaviruses（HPV） are the main pathogen in cervical cancer. HPV E2 protein plays key roles in the regulation of viral gene transcription and DNA replication. It is composed of a COOH-terminal DNA-binding domain, an NH2-terminal transactivation domain and a flexible hinge. The E2 protein can repress the transcription of the oncogenes E6 and E7. Mutation or integration of the E2 protein is associated with cervical carcinogenesis. The genome integration of HPV usually disrupts E2 gene and causes an absence of E2 gene sequences. The lack of E2 gene could lead to the upregulated expression of E6 and E7 protein. The review will concentrate on the advances in the structure and function of HPV E2 proteins. Understanding the structure and function of HPV E2 proteins might provide a basis for the studies on cervical carcinogenesis.

Key words: Papillomaviridae, Uterine cervical neoplasms, Viral proteins, Mutation