Dengue virus pre-membrane protein (prM)

The dengue virus pre-membrane protein (prM) is a 166-amino acid glycoprotein embedded in the viral membrane, which plays a crucial role during virus assembly and maturation[1][4]. In immature virions, prM forms heterodimers with the envelope (E) protein, protecting the fusion loop and preventing premature fusion with host membranes. As virions move through the acidic environments of the trans-Golgi network and exosomes, prM exposes its furin cleavage site, is proteolytically processed, and the “pr” peptide is released; the mature M protein remains as a transmembrane anchor for the E shell[1][3][4]. The conformational rearrangement of prM and E is essential for infectious particle formation. Targeting the prM-E maturation step is a rational therapeutic strategy, but antibodies against prM may enhance disease via antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE)[4].

Other names

pre-membrane proteinprM glycoproteinprM/M proteinpr peptide (cleaved form)

Preventing prM cleavage or interfering with prM-E interactions to block virion maturation and infectivity; inhibiting prM stem interactions