Virus
retroviridae
Subclass of:
Oncogenic Viruses;
RNA Viruses
Definitions related to retroviridae:
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(retrovirus) A type of virus that has RNA instead of DNA as its genetic material. It uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to become part of the host cells' DNA. This allows many copies of the virus to be made in the host cells. The virus that causes AIDS, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a type of retrovirus.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A family of viruses that possess RNA-dependent DNA polymerases (reverse transcriptases) and contain two identical molecules of positive sense, single-stranded RNA of high molecular weight. This RNA serves as a template for the synthesis of a complementary DNA, which may be integrated into the host DNA. Virions are enveloped.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Family of RNA viruses that infects birds and mammals and encodes the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The family contains seven genera: DELTARETROVIRUS; LENTIVIRUS; RETROVIRUSES TYPE B, MAMMALIAN; ALPHARETROVIRUS; GAMMARETROVIRUS; RETROVIRUSES TYPE D; and SPUMAVIRUS. A key feature of retrovirus biology is the synthesis of a DNA copy of the genome which is integrated into cellular DNA. After integration it is sometimes not expressed but maintained in a latent state (PROVIRUSES).NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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