VIRION
Non-enveloped virion, about 40 nm in diameter with a T=4 icosahedral symmetry (240 copies of two proteins derived from the capsid precursor cleavage). The capsid precursor is expressed from a subgenomic RNA molecule which, along with genomic RNA, can be packaged into virions.
GENOME
Linear ssRNA(+) genome of 6.5 kb. The 5' terminus is not capped, and the 3' terminus is not polyadenylated but terminates with a distinctive tRNA-like structure.
GENE EXPRESSION
The virion RNA is infectious and serves as both the genome and viral messenger RNA. Genomic RNA is translated into a polyprotein which is cleaved presumably by a viral protease into replication proteins. Replication produces a subgenomic RNA which encodes for capsid protein.
ENZYMES
- RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [RNA polymerase]
- Alpha type capping
- RNA TPase ?
- N7 MTase [RNA polymerase]
- GTase ?
- 2'O MTase ?
- Asparagine proteases (Peptidase N2) [Capsid]
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Virus penetrates into the host cell.
- Uncoating, and release of the viral genomic RNA into the cytoplasm.
- Genomic RNA is translated to produce replication proteins.
- Replication takes place in cytoplasmic viral factories. A dsRNA genome is synthesized from the genomic ssRNA(+).
- The dsRNA genome is transcribed/replicated thereby providing viral mRNAs/new ssRNA(+) genomes.
- Expression of the subgenomic RNA encoding the capsid protein.
- Assembly of new virus particles.
- Virion maturation by the viral protease.