Oligomerizes into helical capsid to encapsidate the viral genome, protecting it from nucleases and the cellular innate immune response VP35 binds to and stabilizes monomeric NP, keeping it soluble Upon virus replication, NP is recruited to bind cooperatively viral genomic RNA and VP35 is released The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the nucleocapsid and serves as template for transcription and replication. The nucleocapsid is helical with a pitch of 10.81 NP per turn and a diameter of about 22nm Each NP binds to six nucleotides of viral genomic RNA, three being exposed to the solvant and three hidden into the nucleocapsid Recruits also host PPP2R5C phosphatase to dephosphorylate VP30 and thereby promote viral transcription Upon virion assembly and budding, NP binds to VP24 and possibly host STAU1

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