Retroviruses are unique among animal viruses in that their replication requires the recombination of their own genetic material with that of the infected host cell. Two virus-encapsulated enzymes, reverse transcriptase and integrase, are dedicated to provirus formation.

Reverse transcriptase, using a packaged cellular tRNA primer to initiate DNA synthesis from the viral RNA template, generates linear double-stranded DNA within the context of the reverse transcription nucleoprotein complex. The integrase enzyme processes the neo-synthesised DNA ends as the preintegration complex moves toward the cell nucleus.

After finding a suitable chromatin acceptor site, the integrase recombines the processed DNA ends with a cell chromosome. For further details on the mechanisms of viral DNA synthesis, its transport to the nucleus, and the resulting chromosomal DNA integration please read Chapter 5 Reverse Transcription and Integration by Alan Engelman in Retroviruses: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Pathogenesis


Further reading: Retroviruses: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Pathogenesis

Labels: Integrase, Integrase enzyme, Reverse transcriptase, Viral DNA synthesis