Membranous Replication Factories Induced by Plus-Strand RNA Viruses

Membranous Replication Factories Induced by Plus-Strand RNA Viruses

Inés Romero-Brey, Ralf Bartenschlager

In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the membranous replication factories of members of plus-strand (+) RNA viruses. We discuss primarily the architecture of these complex membrane rearrangements, because this topic emerged in the last few years as electron tomography has become more widely available. A general denominator is that two “morphotypes” of membrane alterations can be found that are exemplified by flaviviruses and hepaciviruses: membrane invaginations towards the lumen of the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) and double membrane vesicles, representing extrusions also originating from the ER, respectively. We hypothesize that either morphotype might reflect common pathways and principles that are used by these viruses to form their membranous replication compartments.

2014

membrane rearrangements, electron microscopy, electron tomography, Ultrastructure, double membrane vesicles, membranous replication factories, hepatitis C virus, flaviviruses, picornaviruses, coronaviruses

DOI: 10.3390/v6072826

Viruses

MDPI AG

Microbiology

EN