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A retrovirus is a type of virus that inserts a DNA copy of its RNA genome into the DNA of a host cell that it invades, thus changing the genome of that cell. [2] After invading a host cell's cytoplasm , the virus uses its own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome, the reverse of the usual pattern, thus retro (backward).
The replication cycle of a retrovirus entails the insertion ("integration") of a DNA copy of the viral genome into the nuclear genome of the host cell. Most retroviruses infect somatic cells, but occasional infection of germline cells (cells that produce eggs and sperm) can also occur. Rarely, retroviral integration may occur in a germline cell ...
An endogenous retrovirus is a retrovirus without virus pathogenic effects that has been integrated into the host genome by inserting their inheritable genetic information into cells that can be passed onto the next generation like a retrotransposon. [8] Because of this, they share features with retroviruses and retrotransposons.
Retroviruses—enveloped RNA viruses—are popular viral vector platforms due to their ability to integrate genetic material into the host genome. [2] Retroviral vectors comprise two general classes: gamma retroviral and lentiviral vectors.
Human Endogenous Retrovirus-W (HERV-W) is a family of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs are part of a superfamily of repetitive and transposable elements . Transposable elements are sequences of DNA that can move or "jump" around the genome, sometimes replicating and inserting themselves in different locations.
All retroviruses have three major coding domains; gag, pol and env. In the gag region of the virus, the synthesis of the internal virion proteins are maintained which make up the matrix, capsid and nucleocapsid proteins. In pol, the information for the reverse transcription and integration enzymes are stored.
Lentivirus is a genus of retroviruses that cause chronic and deadly diseases characterized by long incubation periods, in humans and other mammalian species. [2] The genus includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) (/ r aʊ s /) is a retrovirus and is the first oncovirus to have been described. It causes sarcoma in chickens. As with all retroviruses, it reverse transcribes its RNA genome into cDNA before integration into the host DNA.