Pistolviridae (taxid:3152146)

VIRION

Non-enveloped icosahedral capsid, about 50 nm in diameter with T=2* icosahedral symmetry.

GENOME

Linear dsRNA genome of 5.8 to 6.8 kb. Encodes for 3 proteins.

GENE EXPRESSION

The translation of a the RdRp may happen through ribosomal frameshift with capsid ORF.

ENZYMES

• RNA-directed RNA polymerase [RdRp]
  No capping activity [IRES]

REPLICATION

CYTOPLASMIC

1. Virus penetrates into the cytoplasm.
2. Transcription of the dsRNA genome by viral polymerase occurs inside the virion, so that dsRNA is never exposed to the cytoplasm. This plus-strand transcript is used as template for translation.
3. (+)RNAs are encapsidated in virion particle, in which they are transcribed to give RNA (-) molecules with which they become base-paired to produce dsRNA genomes.
4. Mature virions are transmitted to new cell by cytoplasmic exchange, sporogenesis or hyphal anastomosis.