Human parainfluenza virus 3 protein (HPIV-3 protein)

Human parainfluenza virus 3 (HPIV-3) proteins are the structural and functional components of the HPIV-3 virion, which is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and immunocompromised individuals [1, 18, 22]. The viral genome encodes six primary structural proteins: the nucleocapsid (N) protein, phosphoprotein (P), matrix (M) protein, fusion (F) protein, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein, and the large (L) polymerase protein [1, 19, 22]. Among these, the HN and F surface glycoproteins are the most significant therapeutic targets; HN mediates viral attachment to host sialic acid receptors and possesses neuraminidase activity for viral release, while the F protein facilitates the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane [4, 13, 15, 21]. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines or specific antivirals for HPIV-3, although several candidates like zanamivir and suramin have been studied for their ability to inhibit HN activity [2, 10, 18]. Other experimental approaches include host-directed therapies like DAS181, which removes the sialic acid receptors required for viral entry, and the development of monoclonal antibodies or T-cell therapies targeting the M or F proteins [4, 5, 23]. The replication complex, consisting of N, P, and L proteins, is also a potential target for inhibitors of viral RNA synthesis [1, 22]. Resistance to potential therapies can arise through mutations in the HN or F proteins, which may alter receptor binding or fusion efficiency [23]. Overall, targeting HPIV-3 proteins remains a critical area of research to address the significant morbidity and mortality associated with this virus in vulnerable populations [18, 23].

Other names

HPIV3 proteinHuman respirovirus 3 proteinHPIV-3 structural proteinHuman parainfluenza virus 3 proteins

Neuraminidase inhibition, viral attachment inhibition, fusion inhibition, viral replication inhibition, and host receptor depletion