AIDS Life Cycle
The Life Cycle of the AIDS Virus
The AIDS virus begins its life by attaching to the CD4 receptor of a host cell. It then releases its contents, including the viral RNA and reverse transcriptase into the cell. Upon entry, the viral RNA is transcribed into a DNA template by the reverse transcriptase. The complementary viral DNA strand is synthesized.
The viral DNA integrates into the host genome. Transcription of the viral DNA occurs, producing new viral RNA strands. The host cell's machinery is also used to produce viral proteins, including the surface protein gp160.
The newly synthesized viral RNA particles exist the host by budding, and the host cell dies.
Project Links
Main Page -- AIDS Overview
AIDS and the Immune System
The Physiological Effects of AIDS
Current and Future Treatments
Email: rld9881@garnet.fsu.edu
