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Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
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Possible Roles of New Mutations Shared by Asian and American Zika Viruses
Shozo Yokoyama1, William T Starmer2
1Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Molecular Biology and Evolution
|January 15, 2017
Summary
The Zika virus (ZIKV) ancestor emerged between 1930-1945 with a low mutation rate that later increased significantly. Specific mutations in the Ancestral Asian strain may drive ZIKV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) has rapidly spread globally since its 1947 isolation.
- Previous studies have not fully incorporated ZIKV's evolutionary history into mutation analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct the evolutionary history of ZIKV.
- To investigate mutation accumulation patterns and their functional impact.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis incorporating viral sampling history.
- Analysis of mutation accumulation in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of ZIKV genomes.
Main Results:
- The ZIKV ancestor likely emerged between 1930-1945 with an initial low mutation rate (<0.2 × 10-3/site/year).
- The mutation rate increased significantly in most ZIKV descendants.
- The Ancestral Asian strain accumulated 13 mutations in its 3'-UTR RNA stem-loops, seven of which enhance stem-loop stability.
- These seven mutations are conserved in Asian and American strains and may impair antiviral responses.
Conclusions:
- ZIKV's evolutionary trajectory involved an initial low mutation rate followed by a significant increase.
- Specific 3'-UTR mutations in the Ancestral Asian strain may contribute to ZIKV pathogenesis by inhibiting host antiviral mechanisms.
- These findings provide testable hypotheses for ZIKV's role in brain development and disease.
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