Fig 9.
Proposed mechanism for the M protein in viral ribonucleoprotein localization. Model for the HMPV M protein in vRNP localization. (1) The viral L (purple), N-RNA (black/yellow), P (gray), and M proteins (red) are recruited onto endosomes at the IB periphery. (2) The vRNPs are then trafficked with the movements of endosomes on microtubules (green) until they reach the plasma membrane. (3) Viral RNPs become associated with the plasma membrane through an M interaction with either cortical actin (red), the plasma membrane, or the cytoplasmic tails of the F (yellow) or G (green) proteins. (4) The M-vRNP complex remains associated with the plasma membrane in the absence of endosomes.