Replication Strategy of dsDNA Viruses Replicating via a Longer- Than-Genome-Length RNA Intermediate

repair synthesis by host DNA pol transcription by host RNA pol translation of early viral protein assembly of viral proteins with genomic RNA, reverse transcription starts reverse transcription in provirion to gapped dsDNA final maturation of viral structural protein to complete virions

Note: look at status bar when mouse is over numbers in picture for explanations of steps

Note: this is an animated GIF, which takes about 30 sec to cycle through completely.

 

Steps in Replication

1. Entry of viral DNA into nucleus, conversion of "gapped" genomic DNA into cccDNA by host repair synthesis

2. Transcription by host RNA pol into mRNA(s) and longer-than-genome-length "genomic" (+)sense RNA

3. Translation of mRNA and (+)sense RNA in cytoplasm, accumulation of viral products

4. Interaction of viral proteins with (+)sense RNA, assembly of provirions, and reverse transcription of RNA inside virions by viral RT to RNA/DNA complex

5. Conversion of RNA/DNA complex to circular, gapped dsDNA by virion RT

6. Final virion maturation, arrest of further DNA polymerase activity in virion (budding for hepadnaviruses)

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copyright Ed Rybicki, 1995 and September 1998