Micro 54: Retroviruses
This episode examines retroviruses, enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses that replicate through reverse transcription and genomic integration. Drawing from Murray’s Chapter 54, it explores how this unique replication strategy reshapes host biology.
The defining feature is the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which converts viral RNA into complementary DNA. This DNA is transported into the nucleus and integrated into the host genome via integrase. Once integrated, the provirus becomes part of the host’s genetic architecture.
The central clinical focus is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV…
The skinny
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