Zika Virus
By: Maddie Flores
Classification of the Virus
Scientific Name: Zika virus
Family: Flaviviridae
Why Flaviviridae?
It is transmitted through arthropod vectors
Diseases Caused
Symptoms
Microcephaly
Origins and Areas affected by Zika
A rash from Zika Fever
Host
Transient infection comes from monkeys, humans, and maybe rodents. Life-long infection comes from mosquitoes from the Aedes genus.
Infection directly affects keratinocytes and dendritic cells at the site of infection and then spreads to the lymph nodes and later, the bloodstream.
Mode of Infection
1. Attachment of the viral envelope to host receptors mediates internalization into the host cell by apoptotic mimicry
2. Fusion of the virus membrane with host endosomal membrane. RNA genome is released into the cytoplasm.
3. The ssRNA is translated into a polyprotein, which is cleaved into all structural and non structural proteins.
4. Replication takes place at the surface of endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasmic viral factories. A dsRNA genome is synthesized from the genomic ssRNA(+).
5. The dsRNA genome is replicated, providing viral mRNAs.
6. Virus assembly occurs at the endoplasmic reticulum and is transported to the Golgi apparatus.
7. The prM protein is cleaved in the Golgi, thereby maturing the virion which is fusion competent.
8. Release of new virions by exocytosis.
Cure and Prevention
Citations
"ViralZone: Zika Virus (strain Mr 766)." ViralZone: Zika Virus (strain Mr 766). ExPASy, 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
"Prevention." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 03 Mar. 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.