Cell membrane skeletal protein 4.1R participates in entry of Zika virus into cells

Virus Res. 2021 Dec:306:198593. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198593. Epub 2021 Oct 9.

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a typical mosquito-borne flavivirus known to cause severe fetal microcephaly and adult Guillain-Barré syndrome. Currently, there are no specific drugs or licensed vaccines available for ZIKV infection, and further research is required to identify host cell proteins involved in the virus's life cycle. Viruses are known to use host cell membrane skeletal proteins, such as actin and spectrin, to complete cell entry, transportation, and release. Here, based on immunoprecipitation, the Axl and ZIKV envelope (E) protein were shown to interact with the cell membrane skeleton protein 4.1R. Furthermore, deletion of 4.1R significantly reduced virus titer and viral protein synthesis. Our study showed that 4.1R is an important host cell protein during ZIKV infection and may be involved in the process of viral entry into host cells.

Keywords: 4.1R protein; Membrane skeleton protein; Virus-host cell protein interaction; Zika virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Internalization
  • Virus Replication
  • Zika Virus Infection*
  • Zika Virus* / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins