Virus Stuff

[Fatrabbit3]

I began reading a book on retroviruses the other day and I found something very interesting. It said that retroviruses are diploid and that because of this "A direct consequence of diploidy is the formation of heterozygote virions in cells that are infected with two or more genetically distinct but related retroviruses." Is this true are retroviruses diploid, and what is the point of having two RNA strands? Also how are the heterozygous virions formed?

[Mike V]

According to one source I read, "... Because retroviruses have 2 copies of single stranded RNA they are diploid. By definition, a diploid cell contains two copies of each chromosomal set..." Hope this helps. - Mike

[Aisha Bennett]

Retroviruses have received much attention in recent years. As per the knowledge currently most of the retroviruses infect vertebrates, but its also found in few cases their presence is also identified in virtually all organisms including invertebrates. Thereby has opened a lot of research materials for scientists and researchers.

[Paxton]

According a research that I have read recently, A retrovirus is a type of RNA virus that reproduces itself by transcribing its DNA into the genetic material of the host cell. These viruses are therefore used as vectors by genetic engineers to import foreign DNA into certain cells. Retroviruses sometimes destroy the cells whose DNA they alter, as with HIV, and sometimes cause them to become cancerous, as with the viruses that cause certain leukemias. What enables retroviruses to rapidly develop resistance to antiviral drugs?