negative strand

biochemistry

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July 1, 2026

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In biochemistry, a "negative strand" refers to a type of RNA genome found in certain viruses. This RNA strand is complementary to the messenger RNA (mRNA) that is required for protein synthesis. Unlike positive-strand RNA viruses, where the genomic RNA can directly act as mRNA, negative-strand RNA viruses must first transcribe their genome into mRNA using an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This mRNA can then be translated into viral proteins, including the polymerase needed for further replication. Viruses with negative-strand RNA genomes include families like Orthomyxoviridae (influenza viruses) and Rhabdoviridae (rabies virus).12

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virus
The nucleic acid
…genomic single-stranded RNA, termed a negative strand, which is complementary to mRNA. All of these negative-strand RNA viruses have an enzyme, called an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (transcriptase), which must first catalyze the synthesis of complementary mRNA from the virion genomic RNA before viral protein synthesis can occur. These variations in…
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…genomic single-stranded RNA, termed a negative strand, which is complementary to mRNA. All of these negative-strand RNA viruses have an enzyme, called an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (transcriptase), which must first catalyze the synthesis of complementary mRNA from the virion genomic RNA before viral protein synthesis can occur. These variations in…
Read More