Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Capsid Protein VP4 (VP4)

Foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid protein VP4 is an internal structural protein essential for proper assembly and function of the FMDV icosahedral capsid[1][4]. The protein is unique among the four FMDV capsid proteins in being myristoylated and entirely enclosed within the mature virion, rather than surface-exposed like VP1-VP3[1][2]. VP4 plays critical roles in capsid stability, receptor binding, and the antigenic properties of the virus; mutant capsids lacking VP4 show significantly reduced capacity to bind integrin receptors and are antigenically distinct from wild-type virions[1]. During viral entry, VP4 is released along with the viral RNA when the capsid dissociates in the acidic environment of the endosome[2]. Rather than being a therapeutic target itself, VP4 is important as a structural determinant that influences vaccine efficacy and viral pathogenesis, with understanding of VP4 function potentially informing development of improved FMDV vaccines and antiviral strategies.

Other names

myristoylated structural proteinP1 polyprotein precursor

Not applicable—VP4 is a viral component rather than a therapeutic target.