Rhabdovirus Genomes and Their Products

Abstract

Rhabdoviruses are relatively simple, membrane-enveloped viruses containing a single-stranded RNA genome. The genomic RNA is the negative sense—i.e., complementary to the messenger RNAs (mRNAs)—and is noninfectious. The virus particles must therefore contain an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to generate the mRNAs (Baltimore et al., 1970). Rhabdoviruses have a bacilliform, bullet-, or cone-shaped morphology and are known to infect vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. The composition of various rhabdoviruses has been reviewed by McSharry (1979). The virus particles contain a helical, nucleocapsid core composed of the genomic RNA and protein. Generally, three proteins termed N (nucleocapsid), NS (originally indicating nonstructural), and L (large) are found to be associated with the nucleocapsid. An additional matrix (M) protein lies within the membrane envelope, perhaps interacting both with the membrane and the nucleocapsid core. A single glycoprotein (G) species spans the membrane and forms the spikes on the surface of the virus particle.