Zika virus RNA structure controls its unique neurotropism by bipartite binding to Musashi-1

Abstract

Human RNA binding protein Musashi-1 binds various host transcripts as well as Zika virus RNA in neural progenitor cells. Here, Chen et al. characterise the interactions between Musashi-1 and its binding site using a combination of molecular and biophysical methods to shed light on its role in viral neurotropism.