FIG 3.

Viral particles and viral genomes found in negative-sense RNA virus populations. On top, outside the cell, all types of viral particles discussed in the review are represented. At the bottom, within the cells, all types of viral RNAs discussed in the review are represented. The stars represent point mutations. The beginning and end structures of viral RNAs represent 3′ and 5′ sequences, respectively. Mini viral RNAs have very long deleted sequences and hence are similar to deletion viral genomes but smaller. As mini viral RNAs have only been found in IAV infections, we represented it as a hairpin loop, as IAV 3′ and 5′ ends are complementary in IAV.