Plays a major role in the induction and maintenance of cellular transformation. E6 associates with host UBE3A/E6-AP ubiquitin-protein ligase and modulates its activity. Sequesters tumor suppressor TP53 in the host cytoplasm and modulates its activity by interacting with host EP300 that results in the reduction of TP53 acetylation and activation. In turn, apoptosis induced by DNA damage is inhibited. E6 protects also host keratinocytes from apoptosis by mediating the degradation of host BAK1. May also inhibit host immune response