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Updated: Jun 28, 2025

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A Cool Look at Positive-Strand RNA Virus Replication Organelles: New Insights from Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Nina L de Beijer1, Eric J Snijder1, Montserrat Bárcena2

  • 1Molecular Virology Laboratory, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Annual Review of Biochemistry
|April 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Replication organelles (ROs) are crucial for positive-strand RNA virus replication and immune evasion. Recent cryo-electron microscopy reveals novel viral protein complexes within ROs, essential for RNA synthesis and release.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Positive-strand RNA viruses utilize specialized cytoplasmic membrane compartments called replication organelles (ROs) for genome replication.
  • ROs are derived from host membranes and adopt diverse structures, including spherules and membrane networks.
  • These organelles are critical for viral RNA synthesis and for evading host innate immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structure and function of replication organelles (ROs) in positive-strand RNA virus replication.
  • To investigate the role of novel viral protein complexes within ROs.
  • To understand how ROs facilitate viral RNA synthesis and immune evasion.

Main Methods:

  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) of prototypic positive-strand RNA viruses.
  • Structural analysis of viral protein complexes within replication organelles.
  • Functional studies on viral RNA synthesis and host immune evasion.

Main Results:

  • Cryo-EM studies revealed crown-shaped multimeric viral protein complexes within ROs.
  • These complexes appear to actively engage in viral RNA synthesis.
  • The complexes regulate the release of newly synthesized RNA for translation and packaging.

Conclusions:

  • Novel viral protein complexes are key players in positive-strand RNA virus replication.
  • Replication organelles are sophisticated structures essential for viral propagation and immune evasion.
  • These findings open new research avenues for antiviral strategies targeting viral macromolecular complexes.
Keywords:
RNA replicationcrown pore complexcryo–electron microscopypositive-strand RNA virusesviral RNA encapsidationviral replication compartments

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