The E2 glycoprotein holds key residues for Mayaro virus adaptation to the urban Aedes aegypti mosquito.

ABSTRACT: Adaptation to mosquito vectors suited for transmission in urban settings is a major driver in the emergence of arboviruses. To better anticipate future emergence events, it is crucial to assess their potential to adapt to new vector hosts. In this work, we used two different experimental evolution approaches to study the adaptation process of an emerging alphavirus, Mayaro virus (MAYV), to Ae. aegypti, an urban mosquito vector of many other arboviruses. We identified E2-T179N as a key mutation increasing MAYV replication in insect cells and enhancing transmission after escaping the midgut of live Ae. aegypti. In contrast, this mutation decreased viral replication and binding in human fibroblasts, a primary cellular target of MAYV in humans. We also showed that MAYV E2-T179N generates reduc

SUBMITTER: Cereghino C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10109513 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature