LINC08148 promotes the caveola-mediated endocytosis of Zika virus through upregulating transcription of Src.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), like proteins, participate in viral infection. However, functions of most lncRNAs remain unknown. In this study, we performed a functional screen based on microarray data and identified a new proviral lncRNA, LINC08148. Then, we uncovered that LINC08148 is involved in the caveola-mediated endocytosis of ZIKV, rather than the classical clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Mechanistically, LINC08148 upregulates the transcription of Src, an initiator of caveola-mediated endocytosis, through binding to its transcription factor SP1. This study identifies a new lncRNA involved in the ZIKV infection, suggesting lncRNAs and cellular proteins are closely linked and cooperate to regulate viral infection.