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Build a Paper Model of Zika Virus
The 3.8Å resolution Cryo-EM
structure of Zika Virus
Devika Sirohi, Zhenguo Chen,
Lei Sun, Thomas Klose,
Theodore C. Pierson,
Michael G. Rossmann,
Richard J. Kuhn
Science (2016)
doi: 10.1126/science.aaf5316
Zika virus in the Americas–
yet another arbovirus threat
Anthony S. Fauchi, David M. Morens
N. Engl. J. Med (2016) 374: 601-604
This paper model was created using the 3D structure from PDB entry 5ire,
determined by cryo-electron microscopy. It shows that Zika virus is very
similar to other flaviviruses such as dengue virus and West Nile virus.
The structure includes the Zika virus envelope glycoproteins (with
sites of glycosylation in turquoise), which are found on the
surface of the virus and are involved in attaching to cells. Inside,
the virus also has a layer of membrane and the viral RNA
genome associated with capsid proteins.
This atomic-level structure will help researchers better understand
how the virus enters human cells after mosquito-borne or sexual
transmission. The structure also sets the stage for studying
where neutralizing antibodies bind on the viral surface,
which will in turn guide vaccine discovery and development.
To learn more
about viruses, go to
pdb101.rcsb.org/browse
and choose Viruses from the
Health and Disease
category.
To build the model,
cut out the structure below
along the dashed lines, and
fold along the solid lines.
Then tape or glue the flaps
into place to form
an icosahedron.
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Zika virus infects people around the globe.
For most, the virus causes a mild illness
that is quickly fought off by the
immune system.
But increasing evidence supports a
connection between Zika infection
in pregnant women and birth defects,
underscoring the need to find ways
to fight the disease. Zika is spread
by mosquitos, so our primary
defense is to remove breeding
sites and to take measures
to avoid being bitten.
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