Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nucleoprotein (RSV N)

The Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nucleoprotein (RSV N) is a 391-amino acid structural protein that is essential for the viral life cycle. It functions by encapsidating the single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome into a left-handed helical nucleocapsid, which protects the viral genetic material and provides a template for replication and transcription by the viral polymerase complex [7, 12, 22]. Because it is highly conserved across RSV subgroups A and B, the N protein is a primary target for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents [14, 24]. Small molecule inhibitors, such as EDP-938 (Zelicapavir), bind to the N protein to interfere with the assembly and function of the ribonucleoprotein complex, effectively blocking viral production within host cells [4, 14]. Additionally, the N protein plays a role in evading the host's innate immune system by suppressing interferon signaling pathways [12, 18].

Other names

RSV NucleoproteinRSV N proteinNucleocapsid proteinNucleoprotein

Drugs targeting the N protein bind to its structure to prevent the encapsidation of viral RNA and disrupt the formation of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, thereby halting both the replication and transcription of the viral genome [2, 4, 14].