Cytomegalovirus glycoprotein L (gL)

Cytomegalovirus glycoprotein L (gL), encoded by the UL115 gene, is an essential component of the Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) entry machinery. It functions primarily as a molecular chaperone required for the correct folding and intracellular trafficking of glycoprotein H (gH), with which it forms a stable heterodimer [Source: UniProt, P16740]. This gH/gL complex acts as a foundational scaffold for higher-order complexes, such as the trimer (gH/gL/gO) and the pentamer (gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A), which are critical for viral entry into fibroblasts and epithelial/endothelial cells, respectively [Source: PubMed, 27334589]. Because gL is indispensable for the formation of these complexes, it is a major target for neutralizing antibodies and vaccine development [Source: NIH, PMC5510490]. Current therapeutic strategies, including mRNA vaccines like mRNA-1647, specifically target the gH/gL-containing complexes to prevent HCMV infection and transmission [Source: Moderna, 2024].

Other names

UL115Envelope glycoprotein LHCMV gLHHV-5 gL

Neutralization of viral entry by blocking membrane fusion; induction of protective humoral immunity via vaccine-mediated antibody production.