Human papillomavirus type 68 L1 capsid protein (HPV 68 L1)

The Human papillomavirus type 68 (HPV 68) L1 capsid protein is the primary structural component of the viral shell, responsible for the assembly of the icosahedral capsid and the initial attachment of the virus to host cell receptors (UniProt: P50791). As a member of the high-risk Alphapapillomavirus 7 species, HPV 68 is strongly associated with the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer (PubMed: 25434468). The L1 protein is highly immunogenic and has the unique ability to self-assemble into non-infectious virus-like particles (VLPs), which serve as the basis for prophylactic vaccine development (PubMed: 30107267). While current commercial vaccines like Gardasil 9 do not specifically include HPV 68, this protein is a key target for next-generation multivalent vaccines aimed at broadening protection against high-risk HPV types (PubMed: 31554301). Therapeutic strategies targeting the L1 protein focus on inducing neutralizing antibodies that block viral entry, thereby preventing persistent infection and subsequent oncogenesis (NIH: HPV and Cancer). Additionally, the L1 protein is used as a target in diagnostic assays to detect the presence of high-risk HPV infections in clinical samples (PubMed: 28630228).

Other names

Major capsid protein L1 [Human papillomavirus type 68]HPV68 L1L1 protein of HPV 68Human papillomavirus 68 L1

Induction of neutralizing antibodies that bind to the L1 protein, preventing the virus from attaching to and entering host cells (PubMed: 30107267).