Which enzyme is responsible for reverse transcription in HIV?
RSMSSB - 2025, RSMSSB Lab Technician - 2025,
Answer: C
The enzyme is reverse transcriptase.
HIV is a retrovirus: its genome is RNA, and it must copy that RNA into DNA before the DNA can be integrated into the host cell's chromosomes. Reverse transcriptase carries out this RNA-to-DNA copying, which is the reverse of normal transcription. Drugs such as zidovudine and nevirapine work by blocking it.
DNA polymerase copies DNA from DNA, and RNA polymerase makes RNA from DNA, which is ordinary transcription. HIV protease cuts the viral polyproteins into working parts during maturation of new virus particles, a later step.
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