Figure 1.

The structure of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The RSV genome is 15.2 kb of nonsegmented negative-sense RNA encoding 11 viral proteins. Viral envelope of RSV contains three transmembrane glycoproteins: attachment glycoprotein (G), fusion protein (F), and small hydrophobic protein (SH). Matrix proteins (M) are present on the inner side of the viral envelope. Viral RNA is tightly encapsidated by nucleoproteins (N) and the large proteins (L), phosphoproteins (P), and M2-1 proteins that mediate viral RNA transcription. M2-2 protein regulates viral RNA synthesis.