Question

How does reverse transcriptase aid a retrovirus in establishing a chronic infection?

Short answer

Reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into DNA, which integrates into the host genome, establishing a chronic infection.

Step-by-step solution

- Understanding Reverse Transcriptase

Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme used by retroviruses to convert their RNA genome into DNA. This process is the reverse of normal transcription, which converts DNA into RNA.

- Integration into Host Genome

Once the viral RNA is converted into DNA by reverse transcriptase, the newly formed viral DNA integrates into the host cell's genome with the help of another enzyme called integrase. This integration allows the viral DNA to be replicated and transcribed along with the host cell's DNA.

- Persistent Infection

By integrating into the host genome, the viral DNA becomes a permanent part of the host cell's DNA. This means every time the host cell replicates, it also replicates the viral DNA. This establishes a chronic infection as the virus can continuously use the host's cellular machinery to produce more viral particles.

Key concepts

Retrovirus

Retroviruses are a type of virus that possess RNA as their genetic material. Unlike most viruses that use DNA, retroviruses have a unique way of reproducing and integrating into the host. A well-known example of a retrovirus is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.

To reproduce, retroviruses rely on an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. This enzyme converts the viral RNA into DNA once inside the host cell. This process is called reverse transcription because it is the reverse of the usual transcription process, where DNA is transcribed into RNA. This step is crucial for the survival and replication of the retrovirus within the host.

Viral Integration

After the reverse transcriptase converts the viral RNA into DNA, the next critical phase begins: viral integration. Viral DNA needs to integrate into the host's genome to become a permanent part of the host cell.

An enzyme called integrase is responsible for this integration process. Once integrated, the viral DNA is treated just like the host's own DNA. This means that whenever the host cell replicates its DNA, it also replicates the integrated viral DNA.

The integrated viral DNA, now called a provirus, is transcribed and replicated along with the host's DNA. As a result, the host cell machinery uncontrollably produces new viral RNA and proteins. These components assemble into new virus particles, which can then infect other cells.

Chronic Infection

A chronic infection happens when the virus remains in the body for an extended period, often for the lifetime of the host. Retroviruses establish chronic infections primarily through the integration of their DNA into the host's genome.

Once viral DNA integrates into the host's genome, it effectively hijacks the host's cellular machinery for its replication and transcription. Because this process happens continuously, the infected host cells keep producing new viral particles, leading to persistent infection.

For example, HIV, a retrovirus, can persist in an infected individual despite antiviral treatments because the integrated HIV DNA is almost impossible to eliminate completely. This ability to establish a long-lasting presence within the host makes retroviruses particularly challenging to treat.