Provirus
From EvoWiki
A provirus is a retrovirus which has been integrated into the genome of a cell. To do this the RNA of the retrovirus is copied to DNA by reverse transcription and inserted into the genome with an integrase or ligase enzyme.
Proviruses are dormant while in the genome, but get copied in mitosis along with the rest of the genome. In the right conditions, however, the provirus will be copied back to RNA and hijack to the cell's transcription and translation machinery to produce copies of itself.
See also: endogenous retrovirus.
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This page is part of the EvoWiki encyclopedia of genetics and molecular biology. Topics: Genetics - Transmission genetics - Molecular genetics - Population genetics - Quantitative genetics - Molecular biology - Genomics |
