ABSTRACT
The morphogenesis of rhabdoviruses is a complex process which encompasses such diverse events as protein synthesis, glycosylation reactions, protein-protein interactions, and protein-nucleic acid interactions, as well as membrane assembly. The glycoprotein is incorporated into plasma membranes by a series of steps which seem to parallel the path of host cell membrane glycoproteins to the plasma membrane. This process begins with the initiation of the synthesis of the glycoprotein and involves attachment of the protein to intracellular membranes, transport of the protein across the membranes, migration of the protein from intracellular membranes to the plasma membrane, and the stepwise glycosylation of the protein. In most host cell systems which have been extensively studied, the immediate precursor of mature virus particles are regions of infected cell plasma membrane which contain the virion components. There is a considerable delay between the completion of synthesis of the glycoprotein and its appearance at the surface of infected cells and in completed virions.
