An important aspect of this model involves the function of the leader transcripts. During the transcription, the leader transcripts terminate, presumably by forming a strong secondary structure, similar to the transcript ion of tryptophan operon in bacteria. The altered N protein is able to bind tightly to the leader transcript, prevent the formation of the secondary structure, and thus allow the synthesis of the full length genomic products. A unique feature of plant rhabdoviruses are different sites of virion assembly and maturation. Most animal viruses replicate and assembly in the cytoplasm.
Plant rhabdoviruses replicate and assembly in nuclei, cytoplasm, and viroplasms.
They can be div ided into three subgroups based on the site of nucleocapsid formation and the assembly of virions. Viruses form their nucleocapsids in the nucleus, mature through the nuclear membrane, and accumulate in the perinuclear spaces. Sonchus yellow net virus, potato yellow dwarf virus. Lettuce necrotic yellow virus. Viruses form nucleocapsid, mature in a special membrane-bound granular structure called viroplasm.