How are the Structural Proteins in Togaviruses Expressed

Question

How are the structural proteins in togaviruses expressed?
A) They are translated from the negative-sense strands after genome replication.
B) They are translated directly from incoming genomes.
C) They are translated from a subgenomic RNA.
D) They are only translated from newly synthesized full-length genomes.
E) None of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

The structural proteins in togaviruses are expressed from a subgenomic RNA, which is transcribed from a subgenomic promoter located downstream of the genome promoter. This subgenomic RNA encodes the structural proteins, which are translated after binding to ribosomes. The genome itself is used to translate the nonstructural proteins necessary for replication.