Lassa virus Z protein is a matrix protein sufficient for the release of virus-like particles

Lassa virus is an enveloped virus with glycoprotein spikes on its surface. It contains an RNA ambisense genome that encodes the glycoprotein precursor GP-C, the nucleoprotein NP, the polymerase L, and the Z protein. Here we demonstrate that the Lassa virus Z protein (i) is abundant in viral particles, (ii) is strongly membrane associated, (iii) is sufficient in the absence of all other viral proteins to release enveloped particles, and (iv) contains two late domains, PTAP and PPXY, necessary for the release of virus-like particles. Our data provide evidence that Z is the Lassa virus matrix protein that is the driving force for virus particle release.