Poliovirus type 3 capsid protein (PV3 capsid) (PV3 capsid)

Poliovirus type 3 (PV3) is a serotype of the Enterovirus C species and a causative agent of poliomyelitis, an infectious disease that can lead to irreversible paralysis. The PV3 virion is characterized by a non-enveloped icosahedral capsid composed of 60 copies of four structural proteins: VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 (UniProt: P03300). These proteins form the external surface of the virus and contain specific antigenic determinants, or epitopes, which are the primary targets for the host's neutralizing antibody response (PubMed: 2465456). The capsid's biological role involves protecting the single-stranded RNA genome and facilitating infection by binding to the human poliovirus receptor, CD155 (PubMed: 11967301). Although wild PV3 was declared eradicated globally in 2019, its capsid epitopes remain critical for the design and monitoring of vaccines, including the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) and the Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV) (WHO, 2019). Additionally, small-molecule antiviral candidates like V-073 target the hydrophobic pocket within the PV3 capsid to inhibit viral uncoating and prevent the release of the viral genome into the host cell (PubMed: 23408614).

Other names

Poliovirus type 3 structural proteinsPV3 VP1-VP4Poliovirus 3 capsid epitopesEnterovirus C structural protein

Induction of neutralizing antibodies that bind to capsid epitopes to prevent viral attachment to the CD155 receptor or inhibit viral uncoating; small molecules bind to the hydrophobic pocket to stabilize the capsid and prevent genome release.