Small RNA-seq of human neural stem cells in empty vector and Zika Virus E protein transfected cells

We report the Zika Virus E protein causes alterations in human fetal neural stem cells by dysregulation miRNome of fNSCs. We screened four ZV proteins (three non-structural and the E protein) and demonstrated that ZV E protein induces quiescence in human fNSCs and hampers growth of neurospheres. Further employing small RNA NGS we investigate that Zika Virus E protein causes differential expression of 25 miRNAs 24 hours post ectopic expression. Bioinformatic analysis using GO annotation for the targets of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that upregulated miRNAs are involved in biological processes, including metabolic processes whereas downregulated miRNAs regulate cell cycle and its processes along with metabolic processes. This supports our findings that E protein alters cell cycle dynamics. Our study provides evidence and mechanisms of involvement of ZV E protein and potential miRNAs in Zika Virus induced microcephaly. Examination of miRNA in two empty vector and two Zika Virus E protein transfected samples of human neural stem cells 24 hours post transfection.