VIRION
Non enveloped, presumably icosahedral virion with
T=2* icosahedral symmetry (capsid prorein predicted by Alphafold3 modelling) .
GENOME
Linear segmented genome composed of two RNAs of respectively 8.7 kb. It encodes two ORFs.
GENE EXPRESSION
The capsid ORF may be fused with RdRp ORF through ribosomal frameshift. The dsRNA genome is never completely uncoated, to prevent activation of antiviral state by the cell in response to dsRNA. The viral polymerase synthesizes a mRNA, which is translocated to the cell cytoplasm where it is translated.
ENZYMES
REPLICATION
CYTOPLASMIC
- Attachement to host receptors mediates entry of the virus into the cell.
- 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.
- (+)RNAs are encapsidated in a sub-viral particle, in which they are transcribed to give RNA (-) molecules with which they become base-paired to produce dsRNA genomes.
- Mature virions are released.
