Tombusviruses orchestrate the host endomembrane system to create elaborate membranous replication organelles

Positive-strand RNA viruses depend on intensive manipulation of subcellular organelles and membranes to create unique viral replication (VROs), which represent the sites robust virus replication. The host endomembrane-based protein-trafficking vesicle-trafficking pathways are specifically targeted by many (+)RNA take advantage their rich resources. We summarize critical roles co-opted endoplasmic reticulum subdomains associated proteins COPII vesicles play in tombusvirus also present surprising contribution early endosome retromer tubular transport carriers VRO biogenesis. central player is tomato bushy stunt (TBSV), provides an outstanding system based identification a complex network interactions with cells. emerging theme how TBSV uses tethering membrane-shaping lipid modifying enzymes build sophisticated composition.