Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Protein (Pre-fusion Conformation) (RSV preF)

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion protein, commonly referred to as the F protein, is a type I integral membrane glycoprotein essential for viral entry into host cells. It mediates the fusion of the viral envelope with host cell membranes, enabling infection. The F protein exists in two major conformations: a highly metastable pre-fusion (preF) form and a more stable post-fusion (postF) form. The pre-fusion conformation is present on the virus surface before it interacts with host cells and is critical for initiating membrane fusion. Most potent neutralizing antibodies elicited by natural infection or vaccination recognize unique epitopes present only on preF—especially antigenic sites Ø (“zero”) and V—making this conformation highly relevant for vaccine design.

Other names

RSV F protein (pre-fusion)Pre-fusion RSV FRSV Fusion Protein PreFRSV F preF

Neutralization of viral entry by targeting pre-fusion conformation