Molecular biology

VIRION

None reported. Endornaviridae viruses do not produce virions.

GENOME

Linear dsRNA genome about 14 kb to 17.6 kb. A site specific break (nick) is found in the coding strand about 1 to 2 kb from the 5’ terminus.

GENE EXPRESSION

The genome encodes for one ORF potentially cleaved in several polypeptides.

REPLICATION

CYTOPLASMIC

1. Virus genome is transmitted horizontally through mating or vertically from mother to daughter cells.
2. Transcription-translation of genomic RNA produce viral RdRp and possibly other proteins.
3. Replication occurs in cytoplasmic vesicles. Genomic (+)RNA is copied into its complementary antigenomic RNA forming new dsRNA genomes.