VIRION
Non-enveloped.
GENOME
Segmented Negative-stranded RNA linear genome, L segment is about 6.5 kb, M segment about 1.6 kb and S segment about 1.2 kb.
Encodes for at least three proteins.
Enzymes: RNA dependent RNA polymerase, endonuclease? (Cap snatching)
GENE EXPRESSION
The viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase (L) binds to a promoter on each encapsidated segment, and transcribes the mRNAs. These are capped by L protein during synthesis using cap snatching . Transcription is terminated by a strong hairpin sequence at the end of each gene.
ENZYMES
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- The ribonucleocapsids enters a cell by Fungal intercellular connetions
- Transcription, viral mRNAs are capped in the cytoplasm.
- Replication presumably starts when enough nucleoprotein is present to encapsidate neo-synthetized antigenomes and genomes.
- The ribonucleocapsids is transmitted to another cell by Fungal intercellular connetions