High-throughput genome-wide sequencing has revealed high genomic variability of HPV16 in different geographic regions which is the most predominant genotype in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancies. Analysis of the HPV16 by whole-genome sequence (WGS) is an advanced method for the identification of mutations in the genome. There is limited information about HPV16 diversity in Pakistan, especially at the genomic level. Till now, WGS for HPV16 has not been previously reported in Pakistan. The current study has sequenced three HPV16 viral genomes, from two cervical and one oral cavity positive sample of women presented with general gynecological problems without any evidence of precancerous or cancerous lesions using an ion ampliseq customized panel. Sequencing analysis detected 38 variations, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two Indels, across three samples with the highest number of SNPs present in E1, E2, and L2, respectively. A total of 20 non-synonymous and 11 synonymous mutations with amino acid substitutions (T1421C, G1515A, T2223C, T1389C, G1483A, and T2191C) were identified. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the genomes of HPV16 are closely associated with those reported from Thailand and the United States. These are the first HPV16 WGS from Pakistan. However, more research is needed with a large sample size from diversified areas to assess the carcinogenic consequences and impact of HPV vaccinations.
Keywords: Human papillomavirus; PCR; SNPs; cervical cancer; oral cancer; phylogenetic analysis; whole-genome sequence.