Evolution of Zika virus can be sped up but this time to our benefit. It has been found that in this study, Zika mutations that can help foster virus replication in mosquito hosts but hinder its ability to replicate in mammals.
Scientists looking at the genetics of Zika virus have found a way to fast-track research which could lead to new vaccines.
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‘By this new technique, the scientists can now perform evolutionary virus selection in a matter of days - a process that would take tens or hundreds of years in nature.’
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The study, led by The University of Queensland and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, used a new technique to uncover Zika mutations that help foster virus replication in mosquito hosts while hindering its ability to replicate in mammals.
Dr. Yin Xiang Setoh from UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said the technique would supercharge research on Zika - which can cause birth defects - and other similar viruses.
![Fetal Damage Assured If Zika Virus Infection Follows Dengue During Pregnancy]( "Fetal Damage Assured If Zika Virus Infection Follows Dengue During Pregnancy")
Zika virus infection after a dengue infection during pregnancy may cause some severe damage to the unborn baby.
"Viruses like Zika have adapted to grow in two contrasting systems - vertebrates, like us, and invertebrates, like mosquitos," he said.
"We used deep mutational scanning to survey all of the possible amino acid mutations in what's known as the envelope protein of the virus, which is responsible for how it binds with, enters and exits host cells.
"We found two mutations that resulted in a virus that grew well in mosquito cells, but very poorly in mammalian cells, revealing the amino acids that are critical for Zika virus to survive in mammals."
Professor Andreas Suhrbier, who heads QIMR Berghofer's Inflammation Biology laboratory, said the new technique allowed scientists to perform evolutionary virus selection in a matter of days - a process that would take tens or hundreds of years in nature.
"This technique, used in conjunction with modeling, gives us an insight into why evolution has chosen a particular path," he said.
"We're lifting the curtain on evolutionary processes and speeding up natural processes like never before."
Lead researcher, Associate Professor Alexander Khromykh, who heads RNA Virology laboratory at UQ, said the fast-tracking of virus research was an exciting development.
"Using this rapid technique, we can now investigate how Zika virus can reach the placenta and cross into the fetus, and to isolate the viral genetic factors responsible," he said.
"This could help provide crucial knowledge for developing an effective Zika vaccine.
"Indeed, Zika virus that was engineered to contain the identified two mutations showed great potential as a vaccine.
"At the same time, we might be able to identify the genetic factors behind virus replication and transmission by mosquitoes, helping us understand how Zika is transmitted in nature."
"This technique can also be applied to investigate the development of the disease and the transmission of a range of similar viruses, transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and other invertebrates."
"It took us a number of years, not to mention a significant collaborative effort, to get to this stage and we're incredibly excited to see what's next."
The study was initiated with seed funding from the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre.
Source: Eurekalert
Fetal Damage Assured If Zika Virus Infection Follows Dengue During Pregnancy
Zika virus infection after a dengue infection during pregnancy may cause some severe damage to the unborn baby.
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"Viruses like Zika have adapted to grow in two contrasting systems - vertebrates, like us, and invertebrates, like mosquitos," he said.
"We used deep mutational scanning to survey all of the possible amino acid mutations in what's known as the envelope protein of the virus, which is responsible for how it binds with, enters and exits host cells.
"We found two mutations that resulted in a virus that grew well in mosquito cells, but very poorly in mammalian cells, revealing the amino acids that are critical for Zika virus to survive in mammals."
Professor Andreas Suhrbier, who heads QIMR Berghofer's Inflammation Biology laboratory, said the new technique allowed scientists to perform evolutionary virus selection in a matter of days - a process that would take tens or hundreds of years in nature.
"This technique, used in conjunction with modeling, gives us an insight into why evolution has chosen a particular path," he said.
"We're lifting the curtain on evolutionary processes and speeding up natural processes like never before."
Lead researcher, Associate Professor Alexander Khromykh, who heads RNA Virology laboratory at UQ, said the fast-tracking of virus research was an exciting development.
"Using this rapid technique, we can now investigate how Zika virus can reach the placenta and cross into the fetus, and to isolate the viral genetic factors responsible," he said.
"This could help provide crucial knowledge for developing an effective Zika vaccine.
"Indeed, Zika virus that was engineered to contain the identified two mutations showed great potential as a vaccine.
"At the same time, we might be able to identify the genetic factors behind virus replication and transmission by mosquitoes, helping us understand how Zika is transmitted in nature."
"This technique can also be applied to investigate the development of the disease and the transmission of a range of similar viruses, transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and other invertebrates."
"It took us a number of years, not to mention a significant collaborative effort, to get to this stage and we're incredibly excited to see what's next."
The study was initiated with seed funding from the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre.
Source: Eurekalert
New Treatment for Zika Virus Identified
NS2B-NS3 protease, the target for drugs combating Zika virus (and other flavi-viruses) pathogenicity, plays a key role in hydrolysis and maturation of the flavivirus polyprotein.
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 Good Protein Goes Rogue Helps Zika VirusA cellular protein known to interact with invading viruses has been found to be actually helping zika virus in its infection process, finds a new study. | Advertisement
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