Open AccessThe nine C‐terminal amino acids of the major capsid protein of the human papillomavirus type 16 are essential for DNA binding and gene transfer capacity
Author(s) -
Touzé Antoine,
Mahé Dominique,
El Mehdaoui Slimane,
Dupuy Catherine,
CombitaRojas Albalucia,
Bousarghin Latifa,
Sizaret PierreYves,
Coursaget Pierre
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09217.x
Subject(s) - capsid , gene , dna , amino acid , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , mutant , human papillomavirus , virus , mutation , ddb1 , dna binding protein , virology , genetics , medicine , transcription factor
Four C‐terminal deletion mutants of the human papillomavirus 16 L1 protein were expressed in the baculovirus expression system. They consist of the deletion of amino acids 497–505, 477–505, 403–505 and 302–505 (ΔC9, ΔC31, ΔC103 and ΔC204 respectively). Only two of the C‐terminally deleted proteins, ΔC9 and ΔC31, retained the ability to form virus‐like particles (VLPs) resembling those obtained with the full length L1 protein. Analysis of deleted L1 proteins and corresponding VLPs indicated that the C‐terminus was necessary both for DNA binding and DNA packaging. These results were corroborated by the loss of the gene transfer capacities of C‐terminal deleted VLPs.