Abstract
ObjectiveTo analyse the proportions of protein identity between Zika virus and dengue, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, West Nile and chikungunya viruses as well as polymorphism between different Zika virus strains.MethodsWe used published protein sequences for the Zika virus and obtained protein sequences for the other viruses from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) protein database or the NCBI virus variation resource. We used BLASTP to find regions of identity between viruses. We quantified the identity between the Zika virus and each of the other viruses, as well as within-Zika virus polymorphism for all amino acid k-mers across the proteome, with k ranging from 6 to 100. We assessed accessibility of protein fragments by calculating the solvent accessible surface area for the envelope and nonstructural-1 (NS1) proteins. FindingsIn total, we identified 294 Zika virus protein fragments with both low proportion of identity with other viruses and low levels of polymorphisms among Zika virus strains. The list includes protein fragments from all Zika virus proteins, except NS3. NS4A has the highest number (190 k-mers) of protein fragments on the list. ConclusionWe provide a candidate list of protein fragments that could be used when developing a sensitive and specific serological test to detect previous Zika virus infections.
Highlights
Monitoring the geographic and the demographic distribution of people infected with Zika virus is important for informing decision-makers and researchers during the ongoing epidemic
According to the World Health Organization’s Target product profiles for better diagnostic tests for Zika virus infection,[1] such a test must be able to differentiate between chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses, since these mosquito-borne arboviruses can be cocirculating and can cause similar symptoms.[2]
Dengue and Zika viruses belong to the virus family Flaviviridae, while chikungunya virus belongs to the Togaviridae family
Summary
Monitoring the geographic and the demographic distribution of people infected with Zika virus is important for informing decision-makers and researchers during the ongoing epidemic. Health officials need further knowledge about the associations between Zika virus infection and its sequelae, such as microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome. The absence of a sensitive and specific serological test for detecting prior Zika virus infection impedes research. According to the World Health Organization’s Target product profiles for better diagnostic tests for Zika virus infection,[1] such a test must be able to differentiate between chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses, since these mosquito-borne arboviruses can be cocirculating and can cause similar symptoms.[2]. Dengue and Zika viruses belong to the virus family Flaviviridae, while chikungunya virus belongs to the Togaviridae family. They belong to different virus families, Zika and chikungunya viruses share some similarities in envelope protein folding and membrane fusion mechanisms.[3]
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