Human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 L1 capsid protein (HPV16/18 L1)

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 capsid protein is the primary structural component of the HPV virion, specifically for high-risk genotypes 16 and 18 (UniProt P03101, P06792). These two types are globally recognized as the leading causes of cervical cancer and other anogenital and oropharyngeal malignancies (National Cancer Institute, 2023). The L1 protein possesses the intrinsic ability to self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), which mimic the outer shell of the virus but lack the infectious genetic material (PubMed, PMID: 15170407). In its biological role, L1 mediates the initial attachment of the virus to the host cell's basement membrane via heparan sulfate proteoglycans (PubMed, PMID: 23536663). Because it contains the dominant neutralizing epitopes, it serves as the central target for prophylactic vaccines. Vaccines such as Gardasil and Cervarix utilize these VLPs to stimulate the immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies that block the virus from infecting host cells, thereby preventing the persistent infections that lead to oncogenesis (CDC, 2021).

Other names

Major capsid protein L1HPV16 L1HPV18 L1L1 proteinHPV16/18 VLP

Prophylactic vaccines utilize recombinant L1 proteins assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) to induce high titers of type-specific neutralizing antibodies. These antibodies bind to the L1 protein on the surface of the virion, sterically hindering its interaction with host cell receptors and preventing viral entry into the basal epithelium (PubMed, PMID: 23536663).