VIRION
Non-enveloped capsid about 48 nm in diameter. The four genomic segments are possibly encapsidated separately.
GENOME
Segmented linear dsRNA genome about 16.8 kb: 4 segments encoding for 4 proteins.
GENE EXPRESSION
Each genomic segment encodes for a single protein.Segment 2 and 4 structural proteins may be processed during virion assembly.
ENZYMES
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Virus penetrates into the cytoplasm.
- Transcription of the dsRNA genome by viral polymerase occurs inside the virion, so that dsRNA is never exposed to the cytoplasm. This plus-strand transcript is used as template for translation.
- (+)RNAs are encapsidated in virion particle, in which they are transcribed to give RNA (-) molecules with which they become base-paired to produce dsRNA genomes.
- Mature virions are transmitted to new cell by cytoplasmic exchange, sporogenesis or Hyphal anastomosis.