ABSTRACT
The replication of the RNA phages has served as a prototype for all further studies on the virus replication. This chapter presents data on replication features as steps in the infectious life cycle of the RNA phages, asymmetric synthesis of plus- and minus-RNA, and fine structure of the replicative intermediates. The regulation of the RNA replication by the interconnection with the translation of viral plus-RNA, together with an original model of this regulation, is described in particular details, since the RNA phages were the first examples of an “operon” mechanism of gene regulation by “self” proteins. This mechanism can be described as a full-cycle biological feedback system, where gene expression is regulated by two phage proteins: coat protein and replicase. The coat proteins of most RNA phages have been shown to repress translation of the replicase gene by binding to an RNA hairpin as an operator at the start site of the replicase gene. At last, the old idea of the possible medical usage of the double-stranded phage RNA as an interferon inducer is also touched here.
