Human papillomavirus type 16 L1 capsid protein (HPV16 L1) (HPV16 L1)

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) L1 capsid protein is the primary structural component of the HPV16 virion and the key antigen used in prophylactic vaccines (UniProt: P03101). When expressed recombinantly, L1 proteins self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs) that morphologically and immunologically resemble the native virus but lack the oncogenic viral DNA (PMID: 25939213). These VLPs display highly organized, conformational epitopes, particularly within the surface-exposed FG and HI loops, which are recognized by B cell receptors and induce a potent neutralizing antibody response (PMID: 17157132). By eliciting these antibodies, vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix prevent the virus from binding to the basement membrane and infecting basal epithelial cells. HPV16 is the most oncogenic HPV type, responsible for approximately 50% of cervical cancers worldwide, making the L1 protein a critical target for cancer prevention (PMID: 16307014).

Other names

HPV16 L1 virus-like particleHPV16 major capsid proteinHuman papillomavirus type 16 L1 proteinHPV16 L1 VLP

Induction of a humoral immune response and production of neutralizing antibodies that bind to surface-exposed L1 epitopes, thereby preventing viral attachment and entry into host basal epithelial cells (PMID: 16307014).