VIRION
Non-enveloped, spherical, about 30 nm in diameter, pseudo T=3 icosahedral capsid surrounding the naked RNA genome. The capsid consists of a densely-packed icosahedral arrangement of 60 protomers, each consisting of 4 polypeptides, VP1, VP2, VP3 and VP4. VP4 is located on the internal side of the capsid.
GENOME
Linear ssRNA(+) genome of about 8.4 kb, polyadenylated, composed of a single ORF encoding a polyprotein. Viral genomic RNA has a viral protein (VPg) at its 5'. The long UTR at the 5' end contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). The P1 region encodes the structural polypeptides. The P2 and P3 regions encode the nonstructural proteins associated with replication. Encodes a unique 3C protease. The shorter 3' UTR is important in (-)strand synthesis.
GENE EXPRESSION
The virion RNA is infectious and serves as both the genome and viral messenger RNA. The IRES allows direct translation of the polyprotein. The polyprotein is initially processed by the viral proteases into various precursor and mature proteins to yield the structural proteins, replicase, VPg, and a number of proteins that modify the host cell, ultimately leading to cell lysis.
Ribosomal skipping is used at the junction of the 2A and downstream sequence.
ENZYMES
- RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [RdRp X2L6K2]
- VPG-type capping [VPg X2L6K2]
- NTPase-helicase [2C PX2L6K2]
- Polyprotein major protease (Peptidase C3) [3Cpro X2L6K2]
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Attachment of the virus to host receptors mediates endocytosis of the virus into the host cell by clathrin-dependent endocytosis.
- Upon endosomal acidification, the capsid releases VP4 that opens a pore in the host endosomal membrane and the viral genomic RNA penetrates into the host cell cytoplasm. Acidic PH dissociates the capsid into pentameric subunits.
- VPg is removed from the viral RNA, which is then translated into a processed polyprotein.
- Shutoff of cellular cap-dependent translation through the cleavage of translation initiation factors by viral protease.
- Replication occurs in viral factories made of membrane vesicles derived from the ER. A dsRNA genome is synthesized from the genomic ssRNA(+).
- The dsRNA genome is transcribed/replicated thereby providing viral mRNAs/new ssRNA(+) genomes.
- New genomic RNA is believed to be packaged into preassembled procapsids.
- Cell lysis and virus release.
- Maturation of provirions by an unknown host protease.