|
The RNA is
negative sense, unsegmented and single stranded. Reassortment and antigenic shift cannot
therefore occur. H is the attachment protein as for influenza. Fusion glycoprotein
(F), which replaces the neuraminidase spike, enables the viral lipid bilayer to fuse
directly with the plasma membrane within seconds and to release its RNA into the
cytoplasm. F also causes syncytium (multinucleate giant cell) formation in cell culture
and in vivo. The host antibody response to F is the most important at limiting entry
and spread of virus from cell to cell. |