Respiratory syncytial virus prefusion fusion protein (subgroup B) (RSV pre-F (subgroup B))

The Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion fusion (F) protein is a critical surface glycoprotein responsible for mediating viral entry into host cells (McLellan et al., 2013, Science). It exists in a metastable prefusion conformation (pre-F) before undergoing a dramatic structural rearrangement to a stable postfusion state (post-F) to facilitate membrane fusion (UniProt P03420). Subgroup B represents one of the two major antigenic lineages of RSV, characterized by specific genetic and antigenic variations in the F protein compared to subgroup A (Simões et al., 2021, Clinical Infectious Diseases). The pre-F conformation is the primary target for potent neutralizing antibodies because it displays highly sensitive epitopes, such as Site Ø, which are lost upon transition to the post-F state (Graham, 2017, Immunological Reviews). Therapeutic strategies targeting the RSV-B pre-F protein include monoclonal antibodies like nirsevimab and bivalent vaccines like Abrysvo, designed to provide broad protection against both subgroups (Hammitt et al., 2022, NEJM; Pfizer, 2023). By stabilizing the protein in its prefusion state, these interventions effectively block the virus's ability to infect respiratory epithelial cells. Understanding the structural nuances of the subgroup B F protein is essential for overcoming strain-specific resistance, as evidenced by the failure of candidates like suptavumab which lacked efficacy against this subgroup (Simões et al., 2021).

Other names

RSV F proteinRSV fusion glycoproteinRSV-B pre-FRespiratory syncytial virus subgroup B fusion proteinRSV-B F protein

Neutralization of viral entry by binding to the prefusion conformation of the F protein, thereby preventing the structural transition required for membrane fusion between the viral envelope and the host cell membrane.