Folate deficiency and repletion affects DNA stability and cellular growth of HPV16-immortalized human keratinocytes

Supplementation of micronutritions like folate is a double-edged sword in terms of their ambivalent role on cell metabolism. In order to examine the molecular events of different folate in the context of cervical cancer, we used human keratinocytes immortalized by human papillomavirus (HPV16) E6 and E7 oncoproteins. Using this in vitro model, whole genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis and biochemical analyses were performed. Overall, our results suggest that fluctuations in folate availability can potentially contribute to carcinogenesis.