Respiratory Syncytial Virus prefusion F glycoprotein – subtype B (RSV pre-F (Subtype B))

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prefusion F glycoprotein is a critical class I viral fusion protein located on the surface of the RSV virion. It is responsible for mediating the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane, a process essential for viral entry and subsequent infection. The F protein exists in two primary conformational states: a metastable prefusion form (pre-F) and a highly stable postfusion form (post-F). The prefusion conformation is the primary target for potent neutralizing antibodies because it displays highly sensitive epitopes, such as Site Ø, which are lost during the transition to the postfusion state. Subtype B represents one of the two major antigenic lineages of RSV circulating globally, and while the F protein is relatively conserved, specific sequence variations in subtype B can influence the binding affinity of certain monoclonal antibodies and vaccine-induced responses. Therapeutic strategies targeting this molecule include monoclonal antibodies for passive prophylaxis in infants and stabilized recombinant subunit vaccines designed to elicit a robust immune response in older adults and pregnant women.

Other names

RSV fusion proteinRSV-F subtype BPrefusion F proteinRSV-B F glycoproteinFusion glycoprotein F0

Neutralization of viral infectivity by binding to highly conserved epitopes (such as Site Ø or Site V) unique to the prefusion conformation, thereby preventing the structural transition required for membrane fusion and viral entry into host cells.