Illustration of a rabies virion and the organization of its genome. Rabies virus has a nonsegmented single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome encoding five viral proteins: nucleocapsid protein (N), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and large protein (L) and its phosphoprotein (P) cofactor. Lipid bilayer comprises the outer envelope (gray), which is lined by the matrix protein. The genomic RNA is encapsidated to form a helical ribonucleoprotein closely associated with a viral RNA polymerase complex. Virions are bullet-shaped and measure approximately 75 nm wide and 180 nm long. The surface of the virion is covered with transmembrane trimeric glycoprotein spikes.