Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) Proteins, their Therapeutics and Vaccine Potentials

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the major viral pathogen of acute respiratory tract infection (ARI). The genome of hMPV encodes for nine proteins that includes G, F, SH, N, P, M, L, M2–1 and M2–2 proteins. In this review we describe the up to date information about structure and functions of the hMPV proteins. Crystal structures have been described for the F, M, P, M2–1 and N proteins of hMPV. We have discussed the structures of these proteins and correlated them with their respective functions. No anti-viral drug or vaccine is available for the hMPV infection. Therefore, we have discussed about the recent advances in the development of therapeutics and vaccines for hMPV. The therapeutic agents against hMPV include Ribavirin, siRNA, fusion inhibitors and others. The vaccine candidates that are discussed in this report include live-attenuated, subunit and virus-like particles. The information compiled in the present report will therefore be a step towards understanding the life cycle and pathogenesis of this viral pathogen that might contribute to drug designing and prophylactic vaccine development. Altogether, this data may also assist in effective manage-ment of the hMPV infection.