Reovirus replication occurs in the cytoplasm. Viral attachment protein s1 binds to sialic acid and junction adhesion molecule (JAM). Particles enter the cell via endocytosis and are partially uncoated in the endolysosome to form infectious subvirion particles or ISVPs. This process is characterized by removal of outer capsid protein s3, proteolytic cleavage of the inner capsid proteins µ1 and µ1C to form d and f, respectively, and conformational changes in s1. Early transcription of the segmented dsRNA genome by a viral polymerase occurs inside the ISVPs. These transcripts leave the core particle and are translated in the cytoplasm. RNA is transcribed conservatively Each negative-sense strand leads to many positive-sense strands. As oppose to semi-conservative replication, which results in a one-to-one ratio. ; negative-sense strands are used as templates for positive-sense strands. These (+) sense strands serve as late mRNAs and as templates for (-) sense strand synthesis. The capsid is assembled and the particles are released.

What is the main advantage of having a segmented genome?

ANSWER The various genome segments can be transcribed and translated at different rates.

From http://www-micro.msb.le.ac.uk/335/Diarrhoea.html

BACK TO INTRODUCTION