Selective p300 inhibitor C646 inhibited HPV E6-E7 genes, altered glucose metabolism and induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells

High risk HPV Infection is a causative factor of cervical Cancer. The constitutive expression of HPV E6-E7 genes is important for the maintenance of Cancer phenotypes. The cellular transcription co-activator p300 plays a crucial role in the regulation of HPV genes thus it was targeted for the inhibition of HPV-associated cervical Cancer. In the present study, HPV positive cervical cells were treated with C646, a selective inhibitor of p300, to investigate its influence on HPV E6-E7 expression and Cancer cell growth. Results of RT-qPCR, Western-blot and promoter activity assays showed that C646 inhibited the transcription of HPV E6-E7, which was accompanied with the accumulation of p53 protein. Meanwhile, cell proliferation was suppressed, glucose metabolism was disrupted and Apoptosis was induced via the intrinsic pathway. Generally, the anti-cervical Cancer potential of C646 was demonstrated and a novel mechanism was proposed in this study.