Species-specific disruption of STING-dependent antiviral cellular defenses by the Zika virus NS2B3 protease

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1803406115
• Publication Date: 2018-06-18T20:41:25Z
• Authors: Qiang Ding; Jenna M. Gaska; Florian Douam; Lei Wei; David Kim; Metodi Balev; Brigitte Heller; Alexander Ploss
• Keywords: Zika Virus; Sting; Flavivirus; Vero cell

Significance To shed light on the host range of Zika virus (ZIKV), we surveyed virus’ ability to infect cells evolutionarily diverse species. ZIKV replicates efficiently in human, great ape, Old and New World monkey, but not rodent cells. These observations correlated with ZIKV’s blunt cGAS/STING signaling pathway all primate tested mice. We demonstrate that an enzyme shared by many flaviviruses (NS2B3) is responsible for functionally inactivating this antiviral defense. Our results highlight importance shaping ZIKV, which turn may guide development murine models inheritable susceptibility other flaviviruses.