Map of Zika virus reveals how it shifts as it matures

Ahead of an immature Zika disease becomes infectious, it will some major remodeling.

In a fledgling virus molecule, the inner protein and RNA core (shown in dark blue above, right) forms bridges to the membrane layer that encompases it. As the disease matures, the core shuffles around and the links melt away (below, right).

It's the first time scientists have experienced such rearrangement in the core of a flavivirus, the group that also includes the viruses that cause afectacion, West Nile and green fever, says virologist Rich Kuhn of Purdue School in West Lafayette, Ind.

Scientists don't know why the immature Zika disease reshuffles its insides, Kuhn says -- perhaps it helps the maturing malware become infectious. But which the next big question to answer, he says.

If blocking the reorganization somehow made mature malware harmless, scientists would have a new clue about protecting against Zika infection. Kuhn and colleagues' map of the immature virus's composition, published online January being unfaithful in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, could offer other hints for thwarting Zika.

With an approach called cryo-electron microscopy, the team could see three-headed protein spikes (shown in red) studding the like some kind of middle ages weapon, and could even distinguish the separate tiers of the membrane (aqua) that encloses the key. (The maps are radially colored; colors change as distance from the primary increases. ) Outside the membrane lie surface healthy proteins called envelope, or At the, proteins (green and yellow) that help the malware sneak into cells.

A year ago, Kuhn's team reported the structure of the experienced Zika virus (SN: 4/30/16, p. 10). The new work offers another lighting peek at Zika -- child picture, of kinds.