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#virus genome

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Gene and Genome

Most dsDNA viruses have genome organization that is:

Double-stranded DNA viruses generally package genome as single continuous molecule containing all essential genes on one chromosome, termed monopartite organization. Herpesviruses, poxviruses, adenoviruses and most bacteriophages encode replication, transcription and structural proteins contiguously, ensuring complete genetic information delivered per particle. Segmented dsDNA viruses are exceptionally rare; multipartite organization characteristic of some plant RNA viruses requires multiple particles for infection. Monopartite architecture simplifies replication via theta or strand displacement, allows tight regulation of temporal gene classes and avoids reassortment necessitated by segmentation.

Ref: Fields et al., Virology: Most dsDNA Viruses Have Genome Organization That is Monopartite

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Gene and Genome

HIV genome is:

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 possesses lentiviral genome unique among retroviruses for efficient targeting of non-dividing cells. Encapsidated within conical capsid are two identical, non-covalently linked copies of ~9.2 kb positive-sense RNA capped and polyadenylated, bonded at dimer linkage structure near 5' end. Diploidy facilitates recombination and complementation of defects. Each RNA associates with nucleocapsid protein, reverse transcriptase and integrase. After entry, reverse transcriptase copies one RNA into double-stranded proviral DNA integrated into host chromosome by integrase, establishing persistent infection hallmarked by high mutation rate.

Ref: Freed EO, Virology 2015: HIV Genome is Two Identical RNA Copies, Lentiviral Diploid Genome

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