Kusarnavirus

VIRION

Presumably non-enveloped, T=pseudo3 icosahedral capsid, about 25nm in diameter and composed of 60 trimers of VP1-VP2-VP3 proteins.

GENOME

Monopartite, linear ssRNA(+) genome about 8.8 kb in size.

GENE EXPRESSION

The virion RNA is infectious and serves as both the genome and viral messenger RNA. Encodes for two open reading frames.

REPLICATION

1. Virus penetrates into the host cell.
2. Uncoating, and release of the viral genomic RNA into the cytoplasm possibly through the formation of a pore in the host cell membrane.
3. Synthesis and proteolytic cleavage of the polyprotein.
4. Replication occurs in viral factories. A dsRNA genome is synthesized from the genomic ssRNA(+).
5. The dsRNA genome is transcribed/replicated thereby providing viral mRNAs/new ssRNA(+) genomes.
6. Assembly of new virions.
7. Virus release.