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).
    

concept

A T-cell infected with HIV within a poster by the New Scientist describing the science of AIDS. Colour lithograph.

HIV transcription, HIV viral life cycle, illustration

HIV integration, HIV viral life cycle, illustration

HIV assembly and budding, HIV viral life cycle, illustration

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Antiviral mechanisms in the control of neoplasia / edited by P. Chandra.

DNA sequence of CCR5 Delta 32 gene mutation

International symposium : retroviruses and human pathology / edited by Robert C. Gallo, Dominique Stehelin, and Oliviero E. Varnier.

Viral gene techniques / edited by Kenneth W. Adolph.

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Retroviridae

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Antiviral mechanisms in the control of neoplasia / edited by P. Chandra.

DNA sequence of CCR5 Delta 32 gene mutation

HIV assembly and budding, HIV viral life cycle, illustration

International symposium : retroviruses and human pathology / edited by Robert C. Gallo, Dominique Stehelin, and Oliviero E. Varnier.

Viral gene techniques / edited by Kenneth W. Adolph.