Kurzfassung

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of non-enveloped DNA viruses with transforming potential. The high-risk HPV type, HPV16, is the primary etiologic agent for cervical cancer in women worldwide. The virus consists of a viral genome that is encapsidated by the major and minor capsid proteins, L1 and L2, respectively. The HPV minor capsid protein L2 fulfills multiple functions during the HPV infection cycle. After virus endocytosis and capsid disassembly, L2 chaperones the viral genome...Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of non-enveloped DNA viruses with transforming potential. The high-risk HPV type, HPV16, is the primary etiologic agent for cervical cancer in women worldwide. The virus consists of a viral genome that is encapsidated by the major and minor capsid proteins, L1 and L2, respectively. The HPV minor capsid protein L2 fulfills multiple functions during the HPV infection cycle. After virus endocytosis and capsid disassembly, L2 chaperones the viral genome into the host cell nucleus. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified cellular transcription factors as novel interaction partners of L2, which repress infection and/or oncoprotein expression. These proteins could provide intrinsic immunity against HPV. Understanding how human cells counteract infection could enable development of antiviral therapies.
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