Zika-Virus-Encoded NS2A Disrupts Mammalian Cortical Neurogenesis by Degrading Adherens Junction Proteins (Cell Stem Cell)

Zika virus infects neural stem cells and causes microcephaly. In this study, Yoon et al. showed that NS2A protein encoded by Zika virus, but not by Dengue virus, impairs proliferation of radial glial cells in both embryonic mouse cortex and human forebrain organoids. Mechanistically, ZIKV-NS2A disrupts adherens junction formation.