The Zika virus is a flu-like virus transmitted by mosquito bites and sex that can cause severe birth defects. In fetuses, ZIKV targets neural stem cells and progenitor cells affecting the development of the brain causing abnormalities. This study looks at the natural defenses to the virus, using drosophila as a model organism. It is shown that following infection there is strong activation of pathways associated with an immune response (NF-kB pathway) causing expression of a highly conserved molecule, which if absent leads to very high levels of Zika replication. It is suggested that it plays a role in triggering anti-viral autophagy. Link below.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-018-0232-5
Miles Graham
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