VIRION
Non enveloped, icosahedral virion with a double capsid structure, about 80 nm in diameter. Pentameric turrets sit on the outside of the innermost capsid. The outer capsid has a T=13 icosahedral symmetry, the inner capsid a T=2 icosahedral symmetry.
Virion maturation schemes
GENOME
Segmented dsRNA linear genome. Contains 10 segments: L1, L2, L3, M1, M2, M3, S1, S2, S3, S4, coding for 12-13 proteins. Segments size range from 1,189 to 3,916nt (MRV-3De). Genome total size is 23.5 Kb (MRV-3De).
GENE EXPRESSION
The dsRNA genome is never completely uncoated, to prevent activation of antiviral state by the cell in response to dsRNA. The viral polymerase lambda3 synthesizes a capped and non-polyadenylated monocistronic mRNA from each dsRNA segment. These capped mRNAs are translocated to the cell cytoplasm where they are translated.
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Attachement to host receptors mediates clathrin-mediated endocytosis of virus into host cell.
- Particles are partially uncoated in endolysosomes, but not entirely, and penetrate in the cytoplasm.
- Early transcription of the dsRNA genome by viral polymerase occurs inside this sub-viral particle (naked core), so that dsRNA is never exposed to the cytoplasm.
- Full-length plus-strand transcripts from each of the dsRNA segments are synthesized. These plus-strand transcripts are used as templates for translation.
- Viral proteins and genomic RNAs aggregates in cytoplasmic viral factories.
- (+)RNAs are encapsidated in a sub-viral particle, in which they are transcribed to give RNA (-) molecules with which they become base-paired to produce dsRNA genomes.
- The capsid is assembled on the sub-viral particle.
- Mature virions are released presumably following cell death and associated breakdown of host plasma membrane.
