Intrinsic features of Zika Virus non-structural proteins NS2A and NS4A in the regulation of viral replication
Fig 2
NS2A and NS4A were reversely associated with cell death induced by ZIKV infection.
(a-b) Cell death after ZIKV/SZ01 infection of HMC3 or U251 cells expressing ZIKV NS proteins. (c-d) Cytopathic effect after ZIKV/SZ01 infection of HMC3 (72 h p.i.) or U251 (48 h p.i.) cells expressing ZIKV NS proteins. Scale bar, 50 μm. HMC3 or U251 cells (expressing ZIKV NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, or NS4B) were infected by 0.1 MOI of ZIKV/SZ01. Cell death was determined by flow cytometry and Annexin V/PI apoptosis kit at 48 (U251) or 72 (HMC3) h p.i. The cytopathic effect was observed under a light microscope. The differences between groups of control and NS proteins were evaluated by two-tailed Student’s t test. Data are means ± SEM of triplicate experiments; *, P< 0.05; **, P< 0.01; ***, p < 0.001.