Scientists identify internal protein defence against Zika virus

A team of scientists has offered the first look at how our cells can “swallow up and quarantine” Zika, defending themselves against the virus’ attack. Eight weeks after receiving their first samples of Zika virus, the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) researchers have shown that a very small protein we all have in our bodies, interferon-induced protein 3 (IFITM3), can dramatically reduce the ability of Zika virus to infect human and mouse cells. In some cases, IFITM3 can also prevent Zika virus from killing our cells. The findings, by senior author Abraham Brass, suggest that boosting the actions of IFITM3 may be useful for inhibiting Zika virus and other emerging viral infections. Brass noted, “Our results show that Zika virus has a weakness that we could potentially exploit to prevent or stop infection.” While relatively rare in people of European decent, this IFITM3 variant is more common in Asia and Micronesia. The...