Sequence variation in the Early genes E1?E4, E6 and E7 of Human Papilloma Virus type 6

The majority of condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts) are caused by infection with Human Papilloma Virus type 6 (HPV-6). We have sequenced the HPV-6 early genes, E1?E4, E6 and E7 from wart biopsy DNA samples sourced from the UK and USA and derived a consensus sequence for these genes and the proteins they encode. When compared to the prototype HPV-6b sequence, published over 12 years ago, the E1?E4 consensus sequence showed 3/91 (3.3%) amino acid changes, the E6 consensus sequence showed 1/150 (0.7%) changes and the E7 consensus sequence showed 1/98 (1.0%) changes. Since many of the early gene sequences from biopsy material were more similar to the HPV-6a subtype than HPV-6b, this data supports the use of HPV-6a as the HPV-6 prototype.