Measles virus proteins

Measles virus proteins refer to the ensemble of proteins encoded by the measles virus, a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus (family Paramyxoviridae)[7][9]. The major structural proteins include: - **Nucleoprotein (N)**, which binds the viral RNA, forming the nucleocapsid[6]. - **Phosphoprotein (P)**, a polymerase cofactor required for RNA replication and transcription[3][6]. - **Matrix protein (M)**, which links the ribonucleoprotein complex to the viral envelope, organizing virus assembly and budding[1][5]. - **Fusion protein (F)**, responsible for membrane fusion and cell entry[4][7]. - **Hemagglutinin (H)**, mediates viral attachment to host cell receptors (notably CD46, SLAMF1/CD150, and Nectin-4)[4][7]. - **Large protein (L)**, functions as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase[3][6]. There are also non-structural proteins **C and V** encoded by the P gene, which antagonize host immune responses and regulate viral RNA synthesis[8][7][3]. Each protein has distinct roles and, when targeted individually (such as the Fusion or Hemagglutinin proteins), may serve as a discrete antiviral target. However, "Measles virus proteins" as a category is not itself a single drug target and should be replaced with a specific protein as appropriate for structured drug discovery or therapeutic targeting purposes[3][7][1]. For drug targeting, the **Hemagglutinin (H)** and **Fusion (F)** proteins are considered the most promising antiviral targets, and several investigational inhibitors have been designed to block viral entry, though none are approved[7].

Other names

Measles virus antigensMeasles virus structural and non-structural proteins

Not applicable as a group (individual proteins: e.g. fusion inhibition, polymerase inhibition, receptor blockade)