Zika virus structure revealed

NIH | APRIL 12, 2016

To learn more about Zika virus, a team at Purdue University examined the structure of a mature Zika virus particle at near-atomic resolution. They used a technique called cryo-electron microscopy.

A representation of the surface of the Zika virus, with protruding envelope glycoproteins shown in red. Image credit: Kuhn and Rossmann research groups, Purdue University

The process involves freezing virus particles and firing a stream of high-energy electrons through the sample to create tens of thousands of images. These 2-D images are then combined to yield a detailed 3-D view of the virus.

The surface of the flavivirus is composed of a shell made of 180 copies of both an envelope glycoprotein and 1 of 2 other proteins anchored in a lipid membrane.

The researchers found that the Zika virus structure is similar to that of other known flaviviruses, except for one region of the envelope glycoprotein. Flaviviruses may use this glycoprotein region to attach to and enter human cells.

The newly identified Zika variation could help explain the virus’s ability to attack nerve cells. It might also shed light on Zika’s proposed link to microcephaly. If the site on the envelope glycoprotein functions in Zika as it does in related viruses, the detailed structure might help scientists design ways to block viral attachment and entry to human cells.

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