Synthesis, Integration, and Transcription of the Retroviral Provirus

Structural analysis of proviral DNA in simian foamy virus (LK-3)-infected cells

“…As the latter three viruses [8,22,24], LK-3 DNA reveals a. polypurine tract (PPT) near the center of the genome. This sequence is similar to the putative initiation site of plus strand DNA synthesis in various other retroviruses [3,7,21,23]. Such a structure is generally located close to the 3' LTR.…”

“…Therefore, the 1.7 kbp DNA that is present in the DNA pool of LK-3-infected cells is probably derived from an intermediate of DNA synthesis. The putative intermediate may be plus-strand "strong-stop" DNA accumulated during reverse transcription of retroviral genomes [7,23]. This form of DNA consists of an LTR plus strand and the growing complementary (minus) strand that is transcribed from the full length RNA template.…”

Serodiagnostic Aids and Management Practice for Feline Retrovirus and Coronavirus Infections

“…Replication-competent retroviruses carry with them a unique and fascinating enzyme called reverse transcriptase. 26 This enzyme is capable of generating a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copy of the retroviral genome that is then inserted into the chromosomal DNA of the infected cell. This alien intruder, known as a provirus or proviral DNA, then is replicated whenever host-cell division takes place and can serve as a template for the intracellular production of new virus particles.…”

“…A cell infected with a retrovirus is infected essentially for the duration of its existence, as are all of its daughter cells. 26 Because a version of their genetic material becomes a part of the total genetic information of the cells they infect, retroviruses are among the most intimate parasites known in nature.…”

Rous Sarcoma Virus

“…Similarly, RSV was transmitted by DNA isolated from transformed virus-producing chicken fibro blasts [Montagnier and Vigier, 1972;Cooper and Temin, 1974]. Progress in the molecular biology of RSV has been reviewed by Bishop [1978], Varmus [1982], and Hughes [1983],…”