Exploring inhibitor structural features required to engage the 216-loop of human parainfluenza virus type-3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase

Human parainfluenza virus type-3 is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection in infants and children. There is currently neither vaccine nor clinically effective treatment for parainfluenza virus infection. Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein is a key protein in viral infection, and its inhibition has been a target for inhibitor development. In this study, we explore the structural features required for Neu2en derivatives to efficiently lock-open the 216-loop of the human parainfluenza virus type-3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein.