Molecular biology
VIRION
Non-enveloped, icosahedral, 25-30 nm in diameter, with icosahedral pseudo T=3 symmetry. The three jell rolls, which are characteristic of picornavirales capsid proteins (CP), can be present in one large CP with 3 jelly rolls domains, two CP (one large with two jelly rolls domains and one small a single domain), or three CP.
GENOME
Segmented, bipartite linear ssRNA(+) genome composed of RNA-1=6-8 kb and RNA-2=4-7 kb. Each genomic segment has a VPg linked to its 5’ end and a 3’ poly(A) tract.
GENE EXPRESSION
The virion RNA is infectious and serves as both the genome and mRNA.
RNA-1 and RNA-2 are translated into two polyproteins, which are then processed into functional proteins. RNA-1 encodes proteins necessary for replication, while RNA-2 encodes one or two capsid proteins and product(s) involved in cell-to-cell movement.
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Virus penetrates into the cell.
- Uncoating, and release of the viral genomic RNA into the cytoplasm.
- Expression of the RNA-1 polyprotein products that promote the replication of genomic RNAs in the cytoplasm.
- Negative-sense complementary ssRNAs are synthesized using the genomic RNAs as a templates.
- New genomic RNAs are synthesized using the negative-sense RNAs as templates.
- Formation of new virus particles.