VIRION.NET
EBOLA GRAPHICS

Ebola Virus Virions are elongate, filamentous flexible rods with a central core of single stranded negative sense RNA (-ssRNA). Order Mononegavirales, Family Filoviridae. Matrix proteins surround the core. The matrix is next to the viral envelope (derived from the host cell during budding). Virion surface is densely decorated with trimeric glycoprotein spikes.

Ebola virion attaches to a cell membrane (greenish surface) at middle left, and releases its RNA (yellow) which directs the production of new viral proteins and genetic material. New viral genomes get coated in protein to create new cores. Cores stack up, as in a production line, and travel to the cell surface. New transmembrane proteins (destined to become viral spike proteins) are shipped to the cell surface. Cores push out of the cell becoming enveloped in membrane full of spikes. Some emerging virions get bent in characteristic ways as they exit the cell.