The high risk HPV16 L2 minor capsid protein has multiple transport signals that mediate its nucleocytoplasmic traffic

► Both NLSs of HPV16 L2, the nNLS and cNLS can function independently in vivo. ► We discovered that HPV16 L2 has an arginine-rich nuclear retention sequence (NRS). ► We determined that this NRS is important during the initial phase of HPV16 infection. ► We discovered that HPV16 L2 has a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES).