This technology identifies a common structure in paramyxoviruses that facilitates viral entry into the host cell that can be utilized for antiviral and vaccine design.
Paramyxoviruses, such as measles and parainfluenza virus, pose a critical threat toward human health. Paramyxoviruses are genetically diverse but share a common cell entry mechanism consisting of a receptor binding protein hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and a fusion protein (F). Structural information for this fusion protein complex (HN-F) is limited, making antiviral and vaccine design difficult.
This technology describes the highly-conserved structure of the human parainfluenza virus 3 cell entry complex consisting of the receptor binding protein and fusion protein. The structure reveals critical interactions that could be targeted by antivirals and specific residues that can be mutated to stabilize the fusion complex for use as a vaccine antigen.
Patent Pending
IR CU23202
Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman