
10/01/2025
Structure of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
HMPV is a respiratory virus that primarily infects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, including the nose, throat, and lungs. It is a common cause of respiratory infections, especially in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. It is a seasonal disease that usually occurs in the winter and early spring, similar to RSV and the flu.
HMPV is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus measuring approximately 150 to 600 nm in diameter. Its structure includes a lipid bilayer (envelope) with three membrane surface glycoproteins: fusion protein (F), glycoprotein (G), and small hydrophobic protein (SH). HMPV has a non-segmented, negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 13.3 kilobases, encoding 9 structural proteins: N-P-M-F-M2.1-M2.2-SH-G-L. The F (fusion) and G (glycoprotein) proteins are crucial in the virus's ability to fuse with the host cell membrane and initiate infection.