Zika virus infection triggers the melanization response in Drosophila

center dot Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks still pose a public health threat in several countries. Animal models like Drosophila are critical for understanding the genetic basis of host antiviral response. center dot Here we investigate the activity of the phenoloxidase/melanization responses in Drosophila infected with ZIKV. We report for the first time that injection of ZIKV into wild-type adult flies significantly increases phenoloxidase enzyme activity in the hemolymph and melanin formation at the injection site. center dot Our findings are important because they indicate that the phenoloxidase/melanization system may form another layer of the host antiviral response against ZIKV infection.

Automated summary

Our study demonstrates that phenoloxidase/melanization responses are activated in Drosophila infected with ZIKV, indicating a potential additional layer of host antiviral defense against ZIKV infection.