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Rescue and Characterization of Recombinant Virus from a New World Zika Virus Infectious Clone
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Rescue and Characterization of Recombinant Virus from a New World Zika Virus Infectious Clone

Published on: June 7, 2017

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A novel sheet-like virus particle array is a hallmark of Zika virus infection

Jun Liu1, Brandon A Kline1, Tara A Kenny1

  • 1United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.

Emerging Microbes & Infections
|April 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This study visualizes Zika virus (ZIKV) replication, revealing a perinuclear replication factory and novel virus particle arrays. Understanding ZIKV assembly and egress provides new insights into flavivirus infection dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus with poorly understood replication mechanisms.
  • Recent outbreaks highlight the urgent need to elucidate ZIKV's lifecycle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Zika virus replication dynamics in vitro and in vivo.
  • To characterize the cellular structures and mechanisms involved in ZIKV assembly and egress.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized fluorescent microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM).
  • Examined ZIKV-infected Vero 76 cells and the brains of infected laboratory mice.

Main Results:

  • Observed the formation of a perinuclear flaviviral replication factory in both cell cultures and mouse brains.
  • Detailed the ZIKV lifecycle, including particle entry, assembly in convoluted membranes, and egress via budding or endosomal pathways.
  • Identified a novel sheet-like array of ZIKV particles, a potential hallmark of infection.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a detailed visualization of ZIKV replication and assembly.
  • Identified a novel virus particle array, contributing to the understanding of ZIKV pathogenesis.
  • Elucidates key aspects of ZIKV lifecycle, informing future antiviral strategies.

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