Human metapneumovirus fusion glycoprotein (hMPV F), antigenic site III (hMPV F)

The Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) fusion (F) glycoprotein is a critical surface protein responsible for mediating viral entry into host cells by facilitating the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane (Battles et al., 2017, Journal of Virology). It is a Class I viral fusion protein that undergoes a dramatic conformational change from a metastable pre-fusion state to a stable post-fusion state (UniProt P0C2X3). Antigenic site III is a highly conserved, conformational epitope located on the F protein, making it a primary target for neutralizing antibodies (Corti et al., 2013, Nature). This site is particularly significant because it is shared between hMPV and the closely related Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), allowing for the development of cross-neutralizing therapeutics like the monoclonal antibody MPE8 (Wen et al., 2017, Nature Microbiology). hMPV is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals (NIH, 2023). Therapeutic strategies targeting the F glycoprotein, specifically site III, involve monoclonal antibodies designed to stabilize the pre-fusion conformation or sterically hinder the fusion process (Schuster et al., 2023, Journal of Infectious Diseases). Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for hMPV, making the F protein a high-priority target for drug development (CDC, 2023). Research into site III-directed antibodies aims to provide broad protection against multiple strains of hMPV and potentially RSV (Mas et al., 2016, Journal of Virology).

Other names

hMPV F proteinHuman metapneumovirus F proteinFusion protein of human metapneumovirushMPV F glycoproteinAntigenic site III of hMPV F

Neutralization of viral entry by binding to the F glycoprotein and preventing the conformational transition from the pre-fusion to the post-fusion state, thereby inhibiting membrane fusion between the virus and the host cell (Corti et al., 2013, Nature).