Practice question

Viral vectors are divided by integration capability and host range. Adenovirus vectors are non-integrating, episomal and transient. Herpes simplex virus and adeno-associated virus mostly remain episomal with low random integration. Lentivirus, a subclass of retroviridae derived from HIV, possesses reverse transcriptase and integrase that stably inserts proviral cDNA into host chromatin, including non-dividing cells. Integrated provirus is permanently maintained and transmitted to daughter cells, providing long-term expression. This property makes lentiviral vectors preferred for stable gene transduction, hematopoietic stem cell modification and creation of transgenic cell lines requiring persistent expression.