Rhabdoviridae

Rhabdoviridae is a family of enveloped, bullet- or rod-shaped viruses within the order Mononegavirales. Members have a nonsegmented, negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome and a wide host range that includes vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. The family contains several genera, including Lyssavirus, Vesiculovirus, Ephemerovirus, and Novirhabdovirus, as well as plant-infecting genera such as Cytorhabdovirus and Nucleorhabdovirus.

The genome of rhabdoviruses is typically about 11 to 16 kilobases in length and encodes five core proteins in a conserved gene order: nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and the large RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). Some lineages possess additional nonstructural or accessory genes, often contributing to host range or virulence. The virions are enveloped and bear surface spikes formed by the G glycoprotein, which mediates attachment and fusion with host cell membranes.

Replication occurs in the cytoplasm. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex, comprising L and cofactor P, transcribes the genome to produce a set of capped, polyadenylated monocistronic mRNAs. A transcriptional gradient results in progressively lower expression of downstream genes. Genome replication and virion assembly take place in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, and mature virions bud from the plasma membrane.

Rhabdoviruses infect a variety of hosts and can cause significant disease. Rabies virus, a member of Lyssavirus, causes fatal encephalitis in humans and other mammals. Vesiculoviruses, including vesicular stomatitis virus, affect livestock and are widely used as vaccine vectors and research tools. Novirhabdoviruses infect fish, while plant rhabdoviruses such as Cytorhabdovirus and Nucleorhabdovirus infect crops. Prevention and control strategies vary by virus and host species.