Pre-integration complex

The Pre-integration complex (pronunciation: pre-in-te-gra-tion com-plex) is a crucial component in the life cycle of retroviruses. It is formed after the virus has entered the host cell and before the integration of the viral DNA into the host's genome.

Etymology

The term "Pre-integration complex" is derived from its role in the viral life cycle. "Pre" refers to its formation before the integration process, "integration" refers to the process of integrating viral DNA into the host's genome, and "complex" refers to the assembly of multiple proteins and viral DNA that make up the structure.

Function

The Pre-integration complex is responsible for the transportation of the viral DNA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of the host cell. It is composed of viral proteins, including integrase and reverse transcriptase, and the newly synthesized viral DNA. The complex protects the viral DNA and aids in its integration into the host's genome, a critical step in the viral replication process.

Related Terms

Retrovirus: A type of virus that replicates in a host cell by reverse transcription of its RNA into DNA, which is then integrated into the host's genome.
Integrase: An enzyme produced by a retrovirus that enables its genetic material to be integrated into the DNA of the infected cell.
Reverse Transcriptase: An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DNA from an RNA template, a process called reverse transcription.
Cytoplasm: The material within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.
Nucleus: The central and most important part of a cell, containing genetic material.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Pre-integration complex
Wikipedia's article - Pre-integration complex

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Pre-integration complex