Characterization of m6A modifications in the contemporary Zika virus genome and host cellular transcripts. Characterization of m6A modifications in the contemporary Zika virus genome and host cellular transcripts

Purpose and Methods: To profile m6A modifications on both the viral genome RNA and cellular transcripts, we used Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) on ZIKV SZ1901-infected human hepatocarcinoma cell line Huh7. Results and conclusions: Using MeRIP-seq, we identified a unique m6A map in the genome of ZIKV strain SZ1901 that is different from all previous isolates. Our study describes unique viral and host m6A profiles in contemporary ZIKV-infected Huh7 cells, highlighting the complexity and importance of m6A modification during viral infection. Overall design: Using a contemporary Asian ZIKV strain isolated in 2019 (SZ1901) as a model, we profiled m6A modifications (MeRIP-seq) on both the viral genome RNA and cellular transcripts from the ZIKV-infected human hepatocarcinoma cell line Huh7.