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Retroviruses

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...

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Updated: May 28, 2026

Amplification, Next-generation Sequencing, and Genomic DNA Mapping of Retroviral Integration Sites

Amplification, Next-generation Sequencing, and Genomic DNA Mapping of Retroviral Integration Sites

Published on: March 22, 2016

Retroviral integration site selection.

Sébastien Desfarges¹, Angela Ciuffi¹

¹Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Bugnon 48, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.

|October 14, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Retroviruses insert their genome into host cells, a process crucial for their life cycle. Integration site preferences vary among retroviruses, influencing host cells and viral replication.

Keywords:

HIV LEDGF LEDGF/p75 PSIP1 integrase integration lentivirus retrovirus site selection transcription

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Area of Science:

* Virology
* Molecular Biology
* Genomics

Background:

* Retroviral replication involves stable insertion of viral DNA into the host genome.
* Viral DNA integration is mediated by the integrase enzyme.
* Integration site selection has significant implications for viral and host cell biology.

Purpose of the Study:

* To review current knowledge on retroviral integration site preferences.
* To explore the mechanisms underlying these preferences.
* To highlight differences in integration site selection among various retroviruses.

Main Methods:

* Analysis of retroviral integration site distribution.
* Utilization of the human genome sequence for large-scale analysis.
* Comparative analysis of integration patterns across different retroviruses.

Main Results:

* Retroviral integration is a non-random process.
* Specific genomic locations are favored or disfavored by different retroviruses.
* Integration site preferences are virus-specific.

Conclusions:

* Understanding retroviral integration site selection is key to comprehending retroviral life cycles.
* Differences in integration preferences reflect distinct viral mechanisms.
* Further research into these mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies.