RNAseq of HeLa and U2OS cells treated with either Nutlin, Darpin C10 targeting p53 or a control DARPin

p53 expression and transcriptional activity is repressed in human papillomavirus positive cells by the expression of viral E6 protein. E6 forms a complex with cellular E6AP protein which can lead to ubiquitination of p53, thus repressing its tumor-suppressive capabilities. In this experiment, the potential capability of a DARPin (Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein) to reactivate p53 mediated pathways in HPV positive HeLA cells is investigated and compared to Nutlin 3a activation of p53 in HPV negative U2OS osteosarcoma cells.