Chimeric molecules and uses thereof

A chimeric polypeptide comprising a proteinaceous molecule operably connected downstream to a heterologous, structure-stabilizing moiety comprising complementary first heptad repeat (HR1) and second heptad repeat (HR2) regions that associate with each other under conditions suitable for their association (e.g., in aqueous solution) to form an anti-parallel, two-helix bundle.

A method of identifying an agent (e.g., a small molecule or macromolecule) that binds with a fusion protein of an enveloped virus, or complex of the fusion protein, wherein the method comprises:

• contacting the candidate agent with an ectodomain polypeptide-containing chimeric polypeptide or chimeric polypeptide complex, as broadly described above and elsewhere herein, wherein the ectodomain polypeptide corresponds to the fusion protein of the enveloped virus, and detecting binding of the candidate agent to the chimeric polypeptide or chimeric polypeptide complex.

A method of eliciting an immune response to a fusion protein of an enveloped virus, or complex of the fusion protein, in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject an enveloped virus fusion ectodomain-containing chimeric polypeptide complex or composition according to any preceding claim, wherein an ectodomain polypeptide subunit of the chimeric polypeptide complex corresponds to the fusion protein of the enveloped virus.

A method of eliciting an immune response to a fusion protein of an enveloped virus, or complex of the fusion protein, in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a DNA vaccine or viral vector/replicon capable of expressing an enveloped virus fusion ectodomain-containing chimeric polypeptide complex or composition according to any preceding claim, wherein an ectodomain polypeptide subunit of the chimeric polypeptide complex corresponds to the fusion protein of the enveloped virus.

A chimeric polypeptide comprising a proteinaceous molecule operably connected downstream to a heterologous, structure-stabilizing moiety comprising complementary first heptad repeat (HR1) and second heptad repeat (HR2) regions that associate with each other under conditions suitable for their association (e.g., in aqueous solution) to form an anti-parallel, two-helix bundle.