Coupling of rotavirus genome replication and capsid assembly

The Reoviridae family represents a diverse collection of viruses with segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA genomes, including some that are significant causes of disease in humans, livestock, and plants. The genome segments of these viruses are never detected free in the infected cell but are transcribed and replicated within viral cores by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Insight into the replication mechanism has been provided from studies on Rotavirus, a member of the Reoviridae whose RdRP can specifically recognize viral plus (+) strand RNAs and catalyze their replication to dsRNAs in vitro. These analyses have revealed that although the rotavirus RdRP can interact with recognition signals in (+) strand RNAs in the absence of other proteins, the conversion of this complex to one that can support initiation of dsRNA synthesis requires the presence and partial assembly of the core capsid protein. By this mechanism, the viral polymerase can carry out dsRNA synthesis only when capsid protein is available to package its newly made product. By preventing the accumulation of naked dsRNA within the cell, the virus avoids triggering dsRNA-dependent interferon signaling pathways that can induce expression and activation of antiviral host proteins.