Induced fucosyltransferase gene expression in Zika virus infected human cells

Abstract

Introduction: The Zika virus (ZIKV) has in the 2010's emerged as a new mosquito- borne virus that causes a threat to the public health, especially due to the rise of microcephaly seen. As with other Flaviviruses, the E-protein is of great importance for infectivity, and recent mutations have led to the dramatic rise of infectivity and complications. The polysaccharides constituting the glycan part of the glycoprotein are unknown, as is the mechanism of viral spread and how it gets into the central nervous system. Fucosyltransferase is one glycosyltransferase involved in synthesizing polysaccharides adding fucose to glycans. Aim: Our aim was to investigate the expression of the fucosyltransferase genes 1-7 in ZIKV- infected human cells. Methods: Human cell lines A549 cells and HUM cells were grown and infected by the Uganda strain of the ZIKV. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT- PCR) for fucosyltransferase 1 – 7 mRNA analysis was conducted on infected cells and mock- infected cells. Results: The expression of fucosyltransferase gene 4 in ZIKV- infected A549 cells was increased 48 hours post- infection (P 0.00035) and 72 hours post- infection (P 0.00014). The expression of fucosyltransferase gene 2 was increased 72 hours post- infection in ZIKV- infected A549 cells, however this increase was not significant. Conclusions: We have demonstrated an increase in expression of the fucosyltransferase 4. The result of the increased expression is unknown. Fucosylated glycans are known to be used by viruses for viral spread, such as the case with HTLV-1. Further studies need to focus on unravelling the structure of the E-protein; its glycans and functions.