Figure 3.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) genome replication and maintenance in infected host cells. The episomal viral DNA molecules (red circles) are tethered to the host cell chromatin throughout the cell cycle. This mechanism enables an even distribution of the viral genomes between the daughter cells, thus ensuring a persistent viral infection. In the inset, the protein bridge made of HPV E2 bound to DDX11 needed for tethering viral DNA to host cell chromatin during S phase is schematically depicted (see text for details).