What is the HIV genome?

The HIV genome consists of two identical single-stranded RNA molecules that are enclosed within the core of the virus particle.

How does HIV affect the tissue?

Not only does HIV attack CD4 cells, it also uses the cells to make more of the virus. HIV destroys CD4 cells by using their replication machinery to create new copies of the virus. This ultimately causes the CD4 cells to swell and burst.

Which type of tissue is affected by HIV infection?

HIV infects immune system cells which have a CD4 receptor on the surface. These cells include T-lymphocytes (also known as t cells), monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. The CD4 receptor is used by the cell to signal to other parts of the immune system the presence of antigens.

How long does HIV stay dormant in your body?

According to HIV.gov, latency in HIV infection can last for 10 or 15 years. This doesn’t mean that HIV is gone, nor does it mean that the virus can’t be transmitted to others. Clinically latent infection may progress to the third and final stage of HIV, also referred to as AIDS.

What is the function of reverse transcriptase?

Reverse transcriptases have been identified in many organisms, including viruses, bacteria, animals, and plants. In these organisms, the general role of reverse transcriptase is to convert RNA sequences to cDNA sequences that are capable of inserting into different areas of the genome.

What is DNA polymerase function?

DNA polymerase (DNAP) is a type of enzyme that is responsible for forming new copies of DNA, in the form of nucleic acid molecules. DNA polymerase is responsible for the process of DNA replication, during which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied into two identical DNA molecules.

Which viruses use reverse transcriptase?

Reverse transcriptases are used by viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B to replicate their genomes, by retrotransposon mobile genetic elements to proliferate within the host genome, and by eukaryotic cells to extend the telomeres at the ends of their linear chromosomes.

What are the functions of DNA polymerase III?

The main function of the third polymerase, Pol III, is duplication of the chromosomal DNA, while other DNA polymerases are involved mostly in DNA repair and translesion DNA synthesis. Together with a DNA helicase and a primase, Pol III HE participates in the replicative apparatus that acts at the replication fork.

How does a reverse transcriptase work?

Where is DNA polymerase 3 found?

DNA Pol III is a component of the replisome, which is located at the replication fork.

Why is DNA polymerase III used in prokaryotes?

In prokaryotes, three main types of polymerases are known: DNA pol I, DNA pol II, and DNA pol III. It is now known that DNA pol III is the enzyme required for DNA synthesis; DNA pol I is an important accessory enzyme in DNA replication, and along with DNA pol II, is primarily required for repair.

What is qPCR and how does it work?

Real-time PCR, also known as quantitative or qPCR, determines the actual amount of PCR product present at a given cycle. By using a fluorescent report in the PCR reaction, this process allows you to measure DNA generation in the qPCR assay.

How is the HIV virus genome generated?

The genome of the HIV provirus (see 1.1.3), also known as proviral DNA, is generated by the reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome into DNA, degradation of the RNA and integration of the double-stranded HIV DNA into the human genome.

What is the shelf life of HIV in blood?

At body temperature, t/2 of HIV is approximately 2 days [45] and at 4 °C approximately 1 month. Therefore in a blood donation only a titre reduction of 1.5 half-lives is to be expected for a virus load of 100,000 (105) particles/ml at the end of the shelf life after storage for 6 weeks at 4 °C.

How many nucleotides are there in HIV-1 and HIV-2?

In HIV-2, vpxcorresponds to the vpugene. The 5´ and 3´ LTR nucleic acid sequences are not translated into protein. The genome consists of 9,200-9,600 nucleotides in the case of HIV-1 and approximately 9,800 nucleotides in the case of HIV-2 (drawing: Lutz Gürtler).

What is the genus and species of HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is grouped to the genus Lentivirus within the family of Retroviridae, subfamily Orthoretrovirinae [1]. On the basis of genetic characteristics and differences in the viral antigens, HIV is classified into the types 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2).