Inhibition of selenoprotein synthesis by Zika virus may contribute to congenital Zika syndrome and microcephaly by mimicking SELENOP knockout and the genetic disease PCCA.

ABSTRACT: Selenium status plays a major role in health impacts of various RNA viruses. We previously reported potential antisense interactions between viral mRNAs and host mRNAs encoding isoforms of the antioxidant selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD). Here, we examine possible targeting of selenoprotein mRNAs by Zika virus (ZIKV), because one of the most devastating outcomes of ZIKV infection in neonates, microcephaly, is a key manifestation of Progressive Cerebello-Cerebral Atrophy (PCCA), a genetic disease of impaired selenoprotein synthesis. Potential antisense matches between ZIKV and human selenoprotein mRNAs were identified computationally, the strongest being against human TXNRD1 and selenoprotein P (SELENOP), a selenium carrier protein essential for delivery of selenium to the brain.

SUBMITTER: Dailey GP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8725645 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature