Structure of the thermally stable Zika virus.
Zika virus (ZIKV), formerly a neglected pathogen, has recently been associated with microcephaly in fetuses, and with Guillian-Barré syndrome in adults. Here we present the 3.7 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of ZIKV, and show that the overall architecture of the virus is similar to that of other flaviviruses. Sequence and structural comparisons of the ZIKV envelope (E) protein with other flaviviruses show that parts of the E protein closely resemble the neurovirulent West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses, while others are similar to dengue virus (DENV). However, the contribution of the E protein to flavivirus pathobiology is currently not understood. The virus particle was observed to be structurally stable even when incubated at 40 °C, in sharp contrast to the less thermally stable DENV. This is also reflected in the infectivity of ZIKV compared to DENV serotypes 2 and 4 (DENV2 and DENV4) at different temperatures. The cryo-electron microscopy structure shows a virus with a more compact surface. This structural stability of the virus may help it to survive in the harsh conditions of semen, saliva and urine. Antibodies or drugs that destabilize the structure may help to reduce the disease outcome or limit the spread of the virus.
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Victor A
VA
Kostyuchenko
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Elisa X Y
EX
Lim
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Shuijun
S
Zhang
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Guntur
G
Fibriansah
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Thiam-Seng
TS
Ng
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Justin S G
JS
Ooi
Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.|CryoEM unit, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Jian
J
Shi
Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore.
Shee-Mei
SM
Lok
D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004664:Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D055550:Protein Stability; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology; D013696:Temperature; D014556:Urine / Q000821:virology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000737:chemistry; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins