Influenza A virus matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e) (M2e)

The Influenza A virus matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e) is the 24-amino acid N-terminal segment of the M2 protein, which functions as a proton-selective ion channel essential for the viral life cycle (UniProt P06821). M2e is remarkably conserved across nearly all human Influenza A strains, making it a premier target for the development of universal influenza vaccines and broadly reactive monoclonal antibodies (PubMed: 29434468). While the full M2 protein facilitates viral uncoating within endosomes and aids in viral budding at the cell membrane, the M2e peptide is exposed on the surface of both the virion and infected host cells (PubMed: 30634543). Therapeutic interventions targeting M2e, such as the monoclonal antibody TCN-032, do not typically neutralize the virus directly; instead, they promote the clearance of infected cells through immune-mediated mechanisms like antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) (PubMed: 22438551). Because M2e is small and poorly immunogenic on its own, clinical development often involves conjugating the peptide to immunogenic carriers or using potent adjuvants to ensure a protective immune response (PubMed: 29434468).

Other names

M2 ectodomainM2e peptideInfluenza A M2 extracellular domainMatrix protein 2 ectodomain

Induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against infected cells, and potential inhibition of viral progeny release (PubMed: 30634543, PubMed: 22438551).