Schematic model of Ebola virus genome packaging.

<p>EBOV appears pleomorphic, but an underlying structural organization is maintained. In the model we show the three basic morphological forms of EBOV particles; empty, linked, and continuous. Single genome (G1) virus and multi-genome particles are shown budding from the cell. In this model genomes are assembled in the host cell and transported to the surface where the end-to-end apposition that we have observed by cryo-EM in mature virions takes place during (or prior to) budding and envelopment at the plasma membrane. The color-coding is as follows: nucleocapsids, red, yellow and orange helices; nucleocapsid protein, purple spheres; VP40, green ovals, VP24/VP35 bridges, blue oval; GP spikes, red; microtubules, brown.