Transcription process in +/- RNA Viruses

The Baltimore system divides viruses with RNA genomes into four groups

1. Double-stranded
2. Plus-strand
3. Negative-strand RNA viruses

These RNA viruses must produce an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp; an RNA
polymerase that uses an RNA molecule as the template for RNA synthesis). When the RdRp is used to replicate
the viral RNA genome, it is often referred to as a replicase. When it is used to synthesize mRNA, the RdRp is
often said to have transcriptase activity. In most cases, an identical RdRp carries out both functions

4. Retroviruses: use a very different approach: they first convert their ssRNA genomes into dsDNA, which is then
recognized by the host cell’s DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

1. Double-Stranded RNA Viruses:

• RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Replicates the Genome and Synthesizes mRNA as showing in Fig-1.

Fig-1

Although we have designated plus (sense or Coding) and minus (anti-sense or non-coding) RNA strands,
both strands may serve as templates for synthesis of mRNA by transcriptase, depending on the virus. The strand
of the viral genome we have designated as the negative strand serves as the template for synthesis of positive
strands by replicase. The positive strands are used by replicase to synthesize negative strands, thus replicating
the dsRNA genome.

2. Plus-Strand RNA Viruses:

• Genomes That Can Be Translated upon Entry as showing in Fig-2

Fig-2

Plus (sense) strand RNA viruses have genomes that can act as mRNA and be translated upon entry into the
host cell. One of the first products is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which catalyses synthesis of negative-
strand RNAs; these are then used to make more plus-strand RNAs. In plant and animal viruses, viral genome
replication occurs in a structure formed within the cytoplasm called a replication complex.

Example- Poliovirus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus

 Fig-2.1 Poliovirus infection

3. Minus-Strand RNA Viruses:

Fig-3

An RNA dependent RNA polymerase enters the host cell at the same time the negative-strand RNA genome
enters. The genome serves as a template for synthesis of mRNA as shown in Fig-3. Later in the infection, the
negative-strand genome is used for plus-strand synthesis. These plus strands then act as templates for
replication of the negative-strand genomes.

Negative-strand viruses are found in many families, including Rhabdoviridae (e.g., rabies virus), Filoviridae
(e.g., Marburg and Ebola viruses), Paramyxoviridae (e.g., measles and mumps viruses), Bunyaviridae (e.g.,
hantaviruses), and Orthomyxoviridae (e.g., influenza viruses). Most negative-strand RNA viruses are enveloped
viruses that infect plants and animals.

4. Retroviruses:
• Plus-Strand Viruses That Use Reverse Transcriptase in Their Life Cycles showing in Fig-4

Fig-4
 Retroviruses have positive-strand RNA genomes. However, their genomes do not function as mRNA Instead,
retroviruses first convert their ssRNA genomes into dsDNA using a multifunctional enzyme called reverse
transcriptase. The dsDNA then integrates into the host’s DNA, where it can serve as a template for mRNA
synthesis and synthesis of the plus-strand RNA genome. The host cell’s DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
catalyzes both of these processes.

Example- AIDS is caused primarily by HIV-1. HIV-1 is an enveloped virus. The envelope surrounds an outer shell,
which encloses a somewhat cone-shaped core. The core contains two copies of the HIV RNA genome and several
enzymes, including the enzymes reverse transcriptase and integrase.

Reference

• Willey J. M., Sherwood L. M., Woolverton C. J (8th JAN 2016). Prescott’s Microbiology 10TH Edition. McGraw-
Hill Education. ISBN 978-1-259-28159-4. Chapter- 27, Page No- 611-620.

Submitted by- Aju Kisan

Regd No- 20mslsbc29

MSc Biochemistry, 1st sem