Functional Characterization of the pIRO-Z Construct
(A) Huh7/Lunet-T7 cells were either transfected (left column) or infected (right column) with pIRO-Z or the H/PF/2013 strain (MOI 10), respectively. Whole cell lysates were subjected to western blot analysis, and polyprotein processing was determined by probing for NS1, NS2B, NS4A, and NS3. GAPDH was used as loading control.
(B) Representative transmission electron microscopy images showing replication organelles (yellow arrowheads) induced upon pIRO-Z transfection or ZIKV infection. Mock transfected cells served as control, and only regular ER was observed (yellow arrow). Scale bars, 150 nm.