Endoplasmic reticulum: a focal point of Zika virus infection

Mohd Ropidi, Muhammad Izzuddin; Khazali, Ahmad Suhail; Nor Rashid, Nurshamimi; Yusof, Rohana

Throughout the course of infection, viruses induce various modifications on the host cells' metabolisms and their cytoarchitecture to support the progression of virus life cycle. One of the common targets is the ER [33] . Among the important functions of the ER include protein processing, synthesis of essential biosynthetic compounds (primarily lipids and proteins), metabolism of steroids and carbohydrates, and storage of calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) for intracellular signaling [34] . Structurally, the ER is made of a continuous network of membraneenclosed flattened sacs and tubules. The dynamic and fluid nature of these structures enable this organelle to accomplish tubule extension, membrane curvature and shape alteration in response to stress-induced or factordemanding conditions such as cell division and differentiation [34] . Likewise, ZIKV infection is also capable of exploiting the organelle's plasticity and remodels the ER structure for their replicative benefit.