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.