Rhabdoviridae

Class V viruses with a single negative strand RNA genome and an associated virus-specific RNA polymerase. The capsid is bullet shaped and enveloped by a membrane that is formed when the virus buds out of the plasma membrane of infected cells. The budded membrane contains host lipids but only glycoproteins coded for by the virus, of which there are usually 1-3 species. In the electron microscope these appear as regularly arranged spikes about 10nm long and are called spike glycoproteins. This group includes rabies virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and a number of plant viruses.