Meet Lentivirus!
Lentiviruses (part of the retroviridae family) are spherical (about 80-100nm in diameter), enveloped particles carrying a single stranded RNA genome. Importantly, lentiviruses also carry key enzymes necessary for genome replication, while most viruses use host machinery.
Gp120 and Gp41 are glycoproteins embedded in the envelope that are necessary for host cell binding. The matrix proteins have different functions that aid in the infection life cycle of the virus. Next, the capsid proteins form a hydrophobic core around the genome. Nucleocapsid proteins coat the genome to further protect the genome and aid in unwinding/replication. Lastly, key enzymes (reverse transcriptase, integrate, protease, and dUTPase) exist within the capsid ready to aid in RNA reverse transcription (creates copy DNA, or cDNA) and integrate into the host genome.
The most well known lentivirus that infects humans is HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). This virus, overtime causes the progressive failure of the immune system which is an opportunistic for infections and cancers to thrive. It is able to do this so effectively because it infects vital human immune cells such as T-cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
Because of their intricate internal enzyme system lentiviruses can integrate a very significant amount of viral cDNA into the DNA of the host cell which makes them a formidable opponent.
Lastly, lentiviruses have a long-standing history in research. Because of their innate ability to integrate into the host genome, lentiviruses are widely used in research to create engineered cell lines and have been investigated widely as gene therapy tools.
Posted on Instagram on March 22, 2021.