Phasmaviridae (taxid:1980417)

VIRION

Enveloped.

GENOME

Segmented Negative-stranded RNA linear genome, L segment is about 6.7 kb, M segment 3 kb and S segment about 2 kb.
Encodes for three proteins, possibly five with alternative translations of the S mRNA.

GENE EXPRESSION

The viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase (L) binds to a promoter on each encapsidated segment, and transcribes the mRNA. Transcription is terminated by a strong hairpin sequence at the end of each gene.

ENZYMES

• RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [L]
• Cap Snatching endonuclease [L]

REPLICATION

CYTOPLASMIC

1. Virus attaches to host receptors though Gn-Gc glycoprotein dimer, and is endocytosed into vesicles in the host cell.
2. Fusion of virus membrane with the vesicle membrane; ribonucleocapsid segments are released in the cytoplasm.
3. Transcription, viral mRNAs are capped in the cytoplasm.
4. Replication presumably starts when enough nucleoprotein is present to encapsidate neo-synthetized antigenomes and genomes.
5. The ribonucleocapsids buds at Golgi apparatus, releasing the virion by exocytosis.