Human Papillomavirus type 6 L1 protein (HPV6 L1) (HPV6 L1)

The Human Papillomavirus type 6 L1 protein is the primary structural component of the HPV6 viral capsid, which is classified as a low-risk genotype (UniProt: P03101). It plays a critical role in the viral life cycle by mediating attachment to host cell receptors and facilitating viral entry into basal epithelial cells (PubMed: 25103070). In clinical applications, this protein is the central antigen used in prophylactic vaccines, such as Gardasil and Gardasil 9, which prevent infections that lead to genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (FDA: Gardasil 9 Label). The L1 protein is engineered to form virus-like particles (VLPs) that lack viral DNA but retain the immunogenic structure of the virus, thereby inducing a robust humoral immune response (NIH: HPV Vaccines). These vaccines trigger the production of neutralizing antibodies that block the virus from infecting cells during future exposures. However, the L1 protein is not a target for therapeutic clearance of existing infections, as its expression is often downregulated in the later stages of the viral life cycle within infected cells.

Other names

Major capsid protein L1HPV-6 L1L1 protein of Human Papillomavirus type 6HPV6 L1 protein

The L1 protein is used to create recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic the viral capsid. These VLPs induce the production of type-specific neutralizing antibodies by the host's immune system, which prevent the virus from binding to and entering host cells (StatPearls: HPV Vaccine).