Zika Virus Assembles Without Essential Protein
Researchers at the US National Institutes of Health discover that Zika virus can assemble without a large portion of a critical protein, revising the basic model of how the virus assembles itself inside infected human cells
Zika virus can assemble without a large portion of a critical protein previously thought to be essential, according to a new study by researchers at the US National Institutes of Health. The critical protein, known as the full-length premembrane, or prM, protein, was believed to be necessary for the production of active, infectious viruses.
However, the study found that only a fragment of the prM protein is required to yield active, infectious viruses. This discovery challenges the previous understanding of how the virus assembles itself inside infected human cells.
In addition to the surprising finding about the prM protein, the researchers also discovered that a molecular cutting step performed by a host enzyme is unneeded for producing mature viral particles. This step was previously thought to be essential for the production of mature viral particles.
The research was conducted by scientists at the US National Institutes of Health and the findings are published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The study's results revise the basic model of how the virus assembles itself inside infected human cells and point to a potential vaccine strategy.
The Zika virus triggered an epidemic in 2015 throughout Central and South America, and the flavivirus family, which includes Zika, dengue, and West Nile viruses, has caused dangerous epidemics. The new findings may also apply to other members of the flavivirus family, which could lead to the development of new vaccine strategies for these diseases.
## What it means The discovery that Zika virus can assemble without a large portion of a critical protein and without a molecular cutting step performed by a host enzyme has significant implications for our understanding of how the virus works. It also points to a potential vaccine strategy that takes advantage of the new findings. As the flavivirus family continues to cause dangerous epidemics, this research provides hope for the development of new vaccines and treatments.
## Why it matters The findings of this study are important because they challenge our previous understanding of how the Zika virus assembles itself inside infected human cells. By understanding how the virus works, researchers can develop new strategies for preventing and treating the disease. The study's results also have implications for our understanding of other members of the flavivirus family, which could lead to the development of new vaccines and treatments for these diseases.
