Figure 2. Schematic representation of the common structure of Paramyxoviruses.
Paramyxoviridae are enveloped viruses. They contain single-stranded negative RNA coated with nucleocapsid (N) protein as well as a large (L) protein and a phosphoprotein (P) that carries out polymerase activity. The matrix (M) protein lines the viral lipid bilayer. The two viral glycoproteins -- hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN)/ hemagglutinin (H)/ glycoprotein (G) and fusion (F) -- protude from the viral membrane.