Measles Virus Fusion Protein: Structure, Function and Inhibition.
Measles virus (MeV), a highly contagious member of the Paramyxoviridae family, causes measles in humans. The Paramyxoviridae family of negative single-stranded enveloped viruses includes several important human and animal pathogens, with MeV causing approximately 120,000 deaths annually. MeV and canine distemper virus (CDV)-mediated diseases can be prevented by vaccination. However, sub-optimal vaccine delivery continues to foster MeV outbreaks. Post-exposure prophylaxis with antivirals has been proposed as a novel strategy to complement vaccination programs by filling herd immunity gaps. Recent research has shown that membrane fusion induced by the morbillivirus glycoproteins is the first critical step for viral entry and infection, and determines cell pathology and disease outcome. Our molecular understanding of morbillivirus-associated membrane fusion has greatly progressed towards the feasibility to control this process by treating the fusion glycoprotein with inhibitory molecules. Current approaches to develop anti-membrane fusion drugs and our knowledge on drug resistance mechanisms strongly suggest that combined therapies will be a prerequisite. Thus, discovery of additional anti-fusion and/or anti-attachment protein small-molecule compounds may eventually translate into realistic therapeutic options.
Division of Experimental and Clinical Research, , Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, Bern 3001, Switzerland. philippe.plattet@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
Philippe
P
Plattet
Clinical Neurology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB3 0ES, Cambridge, UK. calves.lisa@gmail.com.
Lisa
L
Alves
Division of Experimental and Clinical Research, , Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, Bern 3001, Switzerland. michael.herren@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.|Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland. michael.herren@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
Michael
M
Herren
Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. haguilar@vetmed.wsu.edu.|Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. haguilar@vetmed.wsu.edu.
Hector C
HC
Aguilar
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites; D055808:Drug Discovery; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D065147:Viral Fusion Protein Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053586:Virus Internalization
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D065147:Viral Fusion Protein Inhibitors; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins
cell entry; fusion protein; inhibitors and mechanisms of adaptation; measles virus; membrane fusion; neuroinvasion; structural changes