Capsid Protein VP1 (VP1)

Capsid protein VP1 is the major structural protein found in the capsids of several viruses, most notably polyomaviruses, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), and parvoviruses. It plays a central role in viral assembly, host cell recognition, and infection initiation. VP1 monomers are typically around 350 amino acids long and form pentamers that assemble into the outer shell of the capsid. VP1 initiates infection by binding to sialic acids on host cell surfaces, leading to entry via endocytosis. It also possesses NLS motifs essential for nuclear import during virion assembly. It can self-assemble into VLPs making it useful for vaccine development. In some viruses it may have a unique N-terminal extension with phospholipase activity.

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