Role of the glycoprotein G in lyssavirus pathogenicity

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the highly neurotropic members of the Lyssavirus genus (Rhabdoviridae family). These viruses contain an RNA genome that encodes information for five viral proteins: the nucleoprotein (N), the glycoprotein (G), the phosphoprotein (P), matrix (M) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). The glycoprotein is the major contributor of viral pathogenicity. However, nucleotide changes in specific regions of the G-protein influence the ability of the rabies virus to cause death in experimental animals but also the ability to move within the neuronal network. In addition to the glycoprotein, other regions of the viral genome may also contribute to pathogenicity, underlining the multigenic nature of the lyssavirus.