VIRION
Non-enveloped, capsid of about 38-40 nm in diameter, with T=3 icosahedral symmetry. The capsid is composed of 180 VP1 proteins. Small empty virions are about 23nm in diameter, and would be of T=1 icosahedral symmetry, composed of 60 VP1 proteins.
GENOME
Monopartite, linear ssRNA(+) genome of 7.3 to 8.3 kb. The 5'-terminus is linked to a VPg protein and the 3'-terminus has a poly(A) tract.
GENE EXPRESSION
The virion RNA is infectious and serves as both genome and viral messenger RNA. Cleavage of ORF1 polyprotein by the virus-encoded 3C-like cysteine proteinase yields the mature nonstructural proteins. Subgenomic RNA encodes for ORF2 capsid protein and ORF3 minor structural protein. ORF2 encodes a capsid precursor protein that is proteolytically processed by the viral proteinase to yield the mature capsid protein. ORF3 encodes a small structural protein VP2 which is expressed through RNA termination-reinitiation.
ENZYMES
- RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [Protease-Pol Q9DUN3]
- VPG-type capping [VPg Q9DUN3]
- NTPase-helicase [NTPase Q9DUN3]
- Protease (Peptidase C24) [Protease-Pol Q9DUN3]
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Attachement to host receptors mediates endocytosis of the virus into the host cell.
- Uncoating, and release of the viral genomic RNA into the cytoplasm.
- VPg is removed from the viral RNA, which is then translated into a processed ORF1 polyprotein to yield the replication proteins.
- Replication occurs in viral factories. A dsRNA genome is synthesized from the genomic ssRNA(+).
- The dsRNA genome is transcribed/replicated thereby providing viral mRNAs/new ssRNA(+) genomes.
- Subgenomic RNA translation gives rise to the capsid protein and VP2.
- Assembly of new virus particles and release by cell lysis.