The mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of the most feared viruses for pregnant women. Recent statistics justify this fear: Infants born to mothers infected with ZIKV during pregnancy face a risk of up to 42 percent of developing birth defects, including microcephaly (an abnormally small head and decreased brain volume).
What do we know about how ZIKV causes damage to the developing brain?
Researchers have determined that host cells possess several different surface proteins that can serve as virus receptors for ZIKV. If you were to repeat the experiment described in Figure 33.8 using ZIKV instead of HIV, how would you expect the results to be different? Explain.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key difference between the experiment with HIV and the proposed experiment with ZIKV. The original experiment tests if CD4 is the receptor for HIV entry into T cells. For ZIKV, you need to determine which surface proteins on host cells serve as receptors for ZIKV entry.
2. Select a suitable host cell type for ZIKV infection. Unlike HIV, which targets T cells, ZIKV is known to infect neural progenitor cells, among others. Choose a cell type relevant to ZIKV's known infection pattern.
3. Prepare multiple samples of the chosen host cells, similar to the 160 samples of T cells used in the HIV experiment. Each sample will be treated with a different antibody that blocks a specific surface protein.
4. Add a constant number of ZIKV particles to each sample, ensuring that the conditions are optimal for ZIKV entry and replication, similar to the conditions used for HIV in the original experiment.
5. Use microscopy or another suitable detection method to identify which samples show signs of ZIKV infection. The samples where infection is blocked indicate the surface protein that ZIKV uses as a receptor, analogous to how CD4 was identified for HIV.

Key Concepts

Zika Virus Pathogenesis

Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis refers to the mechanisms by which the virus causes disease, particularly in pregnant women. ZIKV can cross the placental barrier and infect fetal neural progenitor cells, leading to developmental issues such as microcephaly. Understanding how ZIKV interacts with host cells is crucial for elucidating its impact on fetal brain development.

Viral Receptors

Viral receptors are specific proteins on the surface of host cells that viruses use to gain entry. For ZIKV, certain surface proteins on host cells act as receptors, facilitating the virus's attachment and entry. Identifying these receptors is essential for understanding how ZIKV infects cells and causes damage, particularly in the context of fetal development.

Experimental Design in Virology

Experimental design in virology involves creating controlled experiments to test hypotheses about viral behavior and interactions with host cells. In the context of ZIKV, researchers might compare its entry mechanisms to those of other viruses, like HIV, by using specific antibodies to block receptors. This approach helps clarify the unique pathways through which different viruses infect cells and the implications for disease outcomes.