Zika virus E protein alters the properties of human fetal neural stem cells by modulating microRNA circuitry.

ABSTRACT: Zika virus (ZV) infects neural stem cells (NSCs) and causes quiescence in NSCs, reducing the pool of brain cells, leading to microcephaly. Despite conscientious efforts, the molecular mechanisms for ZV-mediated effects on NSCs lack clarity. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms for ZV-mediated induction of quiescence in the primary cultures of human fetal neural stem cells (fNSCs). We demonstrate that expression of ZV envelope (E) protein displays maximum quiescence in human fNSCs by accumulating cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle as compared to other non-structural proteins, viz. NS2A, NS4A and NS4B. E protein induces immature differentiation by induction of pro-neuronal genes in proliferating fNSCs, induces apoptosis in differentiating fNSCs 3 days post differenti

SUBMITTER: Bhagat R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6180120 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature