Fig. 5: Tmem120a^−/− enhances ZIKV infection in MEFs.

a Photograph of WT and Tmem120a^−/− mouse embryos at E17.5. Scale bar: 0.5 cm. b Confirmation of Tmem120a^−/− in MEFs. WT and Tmem120a^−/− MEFs were harvested and Tmem120a was immunoprecipitated with its specific antibody followed by immunoblotting with the same antibody. The antibody we used is a polyclonal antibody targeting Tmem120a. 10% of the input was run and blotted. c, d Tmem120a deletion enhanced ZIKV infection in MEFs. WT and Tmem120a^−/− MEFs were infected with ZIKV at an MOI of 0.2 for 48 h. Cells were then harvested for RT-qPCR (c) and immunoblotting (NS1 antibody) (d). (e, f). Tmem120a deletion decreased Tbk1 and Irf3 phosphorylation in MEFs. WT and Tmem120a^−/− MEFs were stimulated with 2′, 3′-cGAMP (2 μg/mL) for the indicated time (0, 4 h). Cells were collected for immunoblotting to detect the activation of Tbk1 (e) and Irf3 (f) using p-Tbk1, Tbk1, pIrf3, and Irf3 antibodies. Ratio: p-Tbk1/Tbk1 or p-Irf3/Irf3. g Tmem120a KO decreases type I IFN response in MEFs. WT and Tmem120a^−/− MEFs were stimulated with 2′, 3′-cGAMP (2 μg/mL) for 6 h. Cells were then harvested for RT-qPCR to detect the mRNA level of Ifnb1 and other Isgs. Cellular ZIKV RNA level and gene mRNA level were normalized to the internal control Gapdh. RT-qPCR data in (c, g) represent the mean ± SEM (n = 3 independent experiments). **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 (unpaired, two-sided Student’s t-test). Exact P values and statistical parameters are provided in Source Data File.