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Chapter 18: Problem 18

Describe the process of reverse transcription of HIV RNA.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Reverse transcription of HIV RNA involves binding of tRNA to the primer binding site, RNA-dependent DNA synthesis to form a complementary DNA strand from the viral RNA template, degradation of the RNA strand, DNA-dependent DNA synthesis to form a double-strand DNA and finally, the integration of this newly formed DNA into the host cell鈥檚 genome.

Step by step solution

01

Binding of tRNA

The process begins when an HIV virus particle attaches to a host cell. The RNA viral genome enters the host cell, and tRNA molecules bind to the primer binding site (PBS) on the viral RNA. This tRNA molecule acts as a primer.
02

RNA-dependent DNA synthesis

The viral enzyme reverse transcriptase synthesizes a complementary DNA strand (cDNA) from the viral RNA template. This begins at the 3' end of the tRNA primer.
03

RNA degradation

The RNAse H activity of reverse transcriptase degrades the RNA strand of the RNA-DNA hybrid, leaving the single-stranded cDNA.
04

DNA-dependent DNA synthesis

The reverse transcriptase enzyme then synthesizes a second DNA strand complementary to the cDNA strand in a process called DNA-dependent DNA synthesis. At the end of this step, a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is formed, which matches the original HIV RNA genome.
05

Integration

The newly formed dsDNA is transported into the host cell鈥檚 nucleus where it gets integrated into the host cell's genome by the viral enzyme integrase. This integrated viral DNA, also known as provirus, can now instruct the cell to create new virus particles.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Discuss why viruses are considered nonliving.

In your own words, explain why it is necessary for the \(c I\) gene to have two promoters. What would happen if it had only \(P_{\mathrm{RE}}\) ?

Explain the role of RNase \(\mathrm{H}\) (a component of reverse transcriptase) during the synthesis of HIV DNA.

How do the \(\lambda\) repressor and the cro protein affect the transcription from \(P_{\mathrm{R}}\) and \(P_{\mathrm{RM}}\) ? Explain where these proteins are binding to cause their effects.

What do the terms host cell and host range mean?
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