Viral oncoproteins and ubiquitination: accessing a cellular toolbox for modifying protein function.

Human Papillomavirus oncoproteins directly target components of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) and allow perturbation of multiple cellular processes linked to the control of apoptosis, transcription and innate immunity. This activity primarily creates an environment favourable for viral replication, but can contribute towards malignancy, thus highlighting the roles that manipulation of the UPS can play in the development of human cancers.