The core of bluetongue virus binds double-stranded RNA.
Diprose JM., Grimes JM., Sutton GC., Burroughs JN., Meyer A., Maan S., Mertens PPC., Stuart DI.
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses conceal their genome from the host to avoid triggering unfavorable cellular responses. The crystal structure of the core of one such virus, bluetongue virus, reveals an outer surface festooned with dsRNA. This may represent a deliberate strategy to sequester dsRNA released from damaged particles to prevent host cell shutoff.