: The enzyme reverse transcriptase "back-transcribes" the viral RNA into a double-stranded DNA copy.
: The host cell's machinery mistakenly treats the provirus as one of its own genes, producing viral mRNA and proteins. These components assemble into new, immature viral particles that bud off from the cell. Retrovirus
Retroviruses are a unique family of viruses that have fundamentally changed our understanding of genetics, evolution, and medicine. Unlike most living organisms that store genetic information as DNA, retroviruses carry their genetic blueprint as . Their name refers to their "backward" replication process: they use a specialized enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA into DNA once they infect a host cell. The Replication Cycle: Rewriting the Host’s Code Retrovirus