Overall, the current work demonstrates two major functions for eEF1A in TBSV replication (Fig. 5) : (i) stimulation of the assembly of the viral replicase complex, likely by facilitating the recruitment of the viral RNA template into the replicase; and (ii) enhancement of the minus-strand synthesis by promoting the initiation step. These roles for eEF1A are separate from its canonical role in host and viral protein translation.