VIRION
Non-enveloped, probably T=3 icosahedral particles .
GENOME
Monopartite, linear, ssRNA(+) genome of 4652 bp. The 3' terminus has neither a polyA tract nor a tRNA-like structure. The 5' terminus probably has a genome-linked protein (VPg).
GENE EXPRESSION
There are a total of four potential ORFs.
ENZYMES
- RNA-directed RNA polymerase [RdRp]
- VPG-type capping [VPg]
- Polyprotein major protease (Peptidase S39) [Pro]
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Virus penetrates into the host cell.
- Uncoating, and release of the viral genomic RNA into the cytoplasm.
- The viral RNA ORF2 and ORF3 are translated to produce the RdRp fusion protein and the VPg protein.
- 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 RNAs (sgRNAs) yields the capsid.
- Capsid assembly and formation of new virus particles.