Structural highlights
Function
[B3F2X3_ROTRH] Inner capsid protein that self-assembles to form an icosahedral capsid with a T=2 symmetry, which consists of 120 copies of VP2, with channels at each of its five-fold vertices. This capsid constitutes the innermost concentric layer of the viral mature particle. It encapsidates the polymerase VP1, the capping enzyme VP3 and the genomic dsRNA, thereby defining the core. The innermost VP2 capsid and the intermediate VP6 capsid remain intact following cell entry to protect the dsRNA from degradation and to prevent unfavorable antiviral responses in the host cell during all the replication cycle of the virus. Nascent transcripts are transcribed within the structural confines of this double-layered particle (DLP) and are extruded through the channels formed by VP2 N-termini. VP2 is required for the replicase activity of VP1 polymerase. Probably recruits a copy of a VP1-VP3 complex, potentially along with a segment of plus-strand RNA, as a decamer of VP2 assembles. May activate the autoinhibited VP1/RNA complex to coordinate packaging and genome replication.[RuleBase:RU363125] [B3F2X2_ROTRH] RNA-directed RNA polymerase that is involved in both transcription and genome replication. Together with VP3 capping enzyme, forms an enzyme complex positioned near the channels situated at each of the five-fold vertices of the core. Following infection, the outermost layer of the virus is lost, leaving a double-layered particle (DLP) made up of the core and VP6 shell. VP1 then catalyzes the transcription of fully conservative plus-strand genomic RNAs that are extruded through the DLP's channels into the cytoplasm where they function as mRNAs for translation of viral proteins. One copy of each of the viral (+)RNAs is also recruited during core assembly, together with newly synthesized polymerase complexes and VP2. The polymerase of these novo-formed particles catalyzes the synthesis of complementary minus-strands leading to dsRNA formation. To do so, the polymerase specifically recognizes and binds 4 bases 5'-UGUG-3' in the conserved 3'-sequence of plus-strand RNA templates. VP2 presumably activates the autoinhibited VP1-RNA complex to coordinate packaging and genome replication. Once dsRNA synthesis is complete, the polymerase switches to the transcriptional mode, thus providing secondary transcription.[RuleBase:RU363117]