Neoplasia: viral oncogenesis: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Neoplasia: viral oncogenesis

Sample item

A 35-year-old woman has CIN 3 with HPV 16 detected. Which HPV protein promotes carcinogenesis by binding p53 and targeting it for ubiquitin-mediated degradation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. E6

In high-risk HPV types, E6 binds p53 with the ubiquitin ligase E6AP and causes its degradation, while E7 binds and inactivates Rb. Integration of viral DNA often disrupts E2, which normally represses E6 and E7, so their expression rises. L1 is the major capsid protein used in the vaccine.

Option by option

  • A. E6 (correct)

    E6 degrades p53 through E6AP-mediated ubiquitination.

  • B. E2

    E2 is a regulator that represses E6 and E7, and its loss on integration indirectly raises oncoprotein levels.

  • C. L1

    L1 is the major capsid protein that forms the basis of the HPV vaccine and has no oncogenic action.

  • D. E7

    E7 inactivates Rb and releases E2F, a separate mechanism from p53 degradation.

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.

More Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, E6. In high-risk HPV types, E6 binds p53 with the ubiquitin ligase E6AP and causes its degradation, while E7 binds and inactivates Rb.

Why is "E2" not the answer?

E2 is a regulator that represses E6 and E7, and its loss on integration indirectly raises oncoprotein levels.

Why is "L1" not the answer?

L1 is the major capsid protein that forms the basis of the HPV vaccine and has no oncogenic action.

Why is "E7" not the answer?

E7 inactivates Rb and releases E2F, a separate mechanism from p53 degradation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: viral oncogenesis in Pathology. Integration of viral DNA often disrupts E2, which normally represses E6 and E7, so their expression rises. L1 is the major capsid protein used in the vaccine.

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 Neoplasia: viral oncogenesis?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.