Immortalization is a critical event in virus-related oncogenesis. No enough information, however, is currently available to elucidate the changes that occur in cellular molecules during immortalization. To identify potential cellular markers or regulators involving in immortalization, a paired-cell model of primary foreskin keratinocytes (FK) and HPV16 immortalized foreskin keratinocytes were established. Using mRNA differential display, RT-PCR and Northern blot methods, we have identified and confirmed that Dyrk1a (dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylated and regulated kinase 1A) is present and increased in HPV16 immortalized cells, but is absent in primary keratinocytes. Moreover, transfection of E7 siRNA oligo into immortalized cells leads to a diminishing E7 expression and the eventual disappearance of Dyrk1a. Similar results of Dyrk1a expressional differences could also be seen when tissue specimens were compared using LCM/real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis; malignant cervical lesions contain significantly more DYRK1A than normal tissue. It was also demonstrated that raised DYRK1A could rearrange the cellular localization of FKHR (forkhead in rhabdomyosarcoma), an apoptosis activator, and suppress BAD. Importantly, this phenomenon can be reversed when endogenous Dyrk1a was knocked down in immortalized cells by RNA interference. These results suggest that the raised Dyrk1a in HPV16 immortalized keratinocytes and cervical lesions may serve as a candidate antiapoptotic factor in the FKHR regulated pathway and initiate immortalization and tumorigenesis gradually. ' 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: HPV16; keratinocytes; Dyrk1a; immortalization; apoptosis Mammalian cells have a limited life span and proliferating capacity when cultivated in vitro. Replicate senescence or the terminal arrest state, has been found to be accompanied by several molecular changes that lead to an activated suppression of the cell cycle and the shortening of the telomeres. 1 Similar to apoptosis, cellular senescence is thought to be a mechanism of tumor suppression because it prevents the outgrowth of cells that have acquired mutations in genes rendering them cancerous. Consistent with this model, several tumor suppressor genes (such as, overexpressed p16 or ZNF217, activated p53 and deregulated Rassf1a or c-myc, etc) or their products have been reported and shown to be associated in parallel with telomere irregularities at the onset of cellular senescence. 2 Telomere shortening has been shown to generate unstable DNA leading to p53 activation and the subsequent transcriptional induction of the cdk inhibitor p21 CIP13 that moves cells into senescence state. Therefore, preventing telomere erosion by ectopic expression of telomerase is sufficient to immortalized primary cells in vitro and thus extend life span. [4][5][6] Although it works in human fibroblast, telemorase alone, however, is not sufficient to induce immortalization in human keratinocytes and mammary epithelial cells. 7 To identify other factors that are involved ...