Abstract
BackgroundThe outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas has transformed a previously obscure mosquito-transmitted arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family into a major public health concern. Little is currently known about the evolution and biology of ZIKV and the factors that contribute to the associated pathogenesis. Determining genomic sequences of clinical viral isolates and characterization of elements within these are an important prerequisite to advance our understanding of viral replicative processes and virus-host interactions.Methodology/Principal findingsWe obtained a ZIKV isolate from a patient who presented with classical ZIKV-associated symptoms, and used high throughput sequencing and other molecular biology approaches to determine its full genome sequence, including non-coding regions. Genome regions were characterized and compared to the sequences of other isolates where available. Furthermore, we identified a subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) in ZIKV-infected cells that has antagonist activity against RIG-I induced type I interferon induction, with a lesser effect on MDA-5 mediated action.Conclusions/SignificanceThe full-length genome sequence including non-coding regions of a South American ZIKV isolate from a patient with classical symptoms will support efforts to develop genetic tools for this virus. Detection of sfRNA that counteracts interferon responses is likely to be important for further understanding of pathogenesis and virus-host interactions.
Highlights
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted arbovirus in the Flavivirus genus, Flaviviridae family
Little is currently known about the evolution and biology of ZIKV and the factors that contribute to the associated pathogenesis
We demonstrate the production of an RNA molecule derived from the 3’ untranslated region that counteracts interferon responses and may be important for understanding the pathogenesis of ZIKV infection
Summary
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted arbovirus in the Flavivirus genus, Flaviviridae family This previously obscure virus has recently caused large scale outbreaks in French Polynesia in 2013 [1, 2], New Caledonia [3], the Cook Islands [4] and Easter Island [5] in 2014 and the Americas in May 2015, beginning in Brazil [6, 7]. Brazil has the greatest burden of dengue virus (DENV), a related flavivirus, in the world and the ongoing ZIKV epidemic is occurring in areas where such mosquito-borne arboviruses are a major public health problem. Determining genomic sequences of clinical viral isolates and characterization of elements within these are an important prerequisite to advance our understanding of viral replicative processes and virus-host interactions
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