Fig. 5: Replication of a Single-Stranded Minus RNA Viral Genome and Production of Viral mRNA

To replicate the viral genome, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzymes copy the (-) RNA genome producing ss (+) RNA. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzymes then copy the (+) RNA strands producing ss (-) RNA viral genome.

The (+) mRNA strands also function as viral mRNA and can then be transtated into viral proteins by host cell ribosomes.