Functions of the Rotavirus RNA Polymerase in Virus Replication

Abstract

To achieve productive infection of a target cell, a virus must express viral proteins, replicate its genome, and assemble infectious particles. For many viruses with RNA genomes, all stages of RNA synthesis are mediated by a virus-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Viruses with a segmented, double-stranded (ds) RNA genome rely on the encoded RdRP to perform both transcription (dsRNA \textregistered{}+RNA) and replication (+RNA \textregistered{}dsRNA). For dsRNA viruses, the RdRP also plays an important role in recognizing and packaging the correct number and constellation of viral RNAs into progeny particles.