The two segments of the infectious bursal disease virus genome are circularized by a 90,000-Da protein.

The genome of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) consists of two segments of double-stranded (ds)RNA with molecular weights of 2.2 X 10(6) and 1.9 X 10(6) Da, respectively. After treatment of IBDV particles with proteinase K in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), linear dsRNA molecules are released from the virus particles. However, after heating of virus particles at 100 degrees for 3 min in 1.5% SDS, without the protease, dsRNA-protein complexes can be seen under the electron microscope: Knob-like proteinaceous structures are linked to the ends of the dsRNA molecules of either size class which are circularized to form individual rings. A 90,000-Da IBDV structural polypeptide, the only protein encoded by the smaller genome segment, has been demonstrated to remain firmly linked to the IBDV genome under these conditions. No functional data exist about this circularizing protein; it is a probable candidate for an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase or an assembly protein for the two dsRNA segments. At high particle concentrations, or when the preparations are allowed to stand for several hours before spreading, these complexes tend to aggregate to form flower-like structures.