Human papillomavirus type 16 L1–L1 capsid assembly interface (HPV16 L1 interface)

The Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) L1–L1 capsid assembly interface is a critical structural site responsible for the formation of the viral shell. HPV16 is the primary causative agent of cervical cancer and various other mucosal malignancies (National Cancer Institute, 2023). The L1 protein, the major capsid component, spontaneously assembles into pentameric capsomeres, which then interact via specific C-terminal arm exchanges and hydrophobic contacts to form the icosahedral capsid (Wolf et al., 2010, PNAS). Targeting these interfaces provides a strategy for both prophylactic vaccines, which utilize virus-like particles (VLPs), and potential therapeutic small molecules designed to disrupt viral maturation (Li et al., 2018, Journal of Virology). By inhibiting the precise docking of L1 pentamers, the production of infectious progeny can be halted, offering a pathway to treat persistent infections. Current clinical interventions primarily involve vaccines that induce antibodies against L1, while research into small-molecule assembly inhibitors aims to address the lack of effective antiviral treatments for established HPV-related lesions (UniProt, 2024).

Other names

HPV16 L1-L1 interfaceHPV16 L1 pentamer-pentamer interfaceHPV16 major capsid protein assembly siteHPV16 L1 capsomere interface

Inhibition of capsid assembly and induction of neutralizing antibodies