The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus

The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus serves as the genomic template for transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is sequestered in the nucleocapsid in every step of the virus replication cycle. The structure of the nucleocapsid and the entire virion revealed how the viral genomic RNA is encapsidated and packaged in the virus. A unique mechanism for viral RNA synthesis is derived from the structure of the nuleocapsid and its interactions with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.