Disruption of Humanastn2Function by ZIKVns4bGene as a Molecular Basis for Zika Viral Microcephaly

ABSTRACT The present Zika virus (ZIKV) pandemic is being associated with increased incidence of microcephaly in newborns. However, a molecular basis for such pathogenesis is distinctly lacking. Comparative nucleic acid sequence analysis showed similarity between regions of non-structural protein 4B ( ns4b ) gene of ZIKV and human astrotactin2 ( astn2 ) gene. Based on these findings, a molecular target of Zika viral microcephaly is being proposed.