retrovirus

A member of a class of RNA viruses that utilizes the enzyme reverse transcriptase to reverse copy its genome into a DNA intermediate, which integrates into the hostcell chromosome. Many naturally occurring cancers of vertebrate animals are caused by retroviruses.

A class of eukaryotic RNA viruses that, by using reverse transcription, can form double-stranded DNA copies of their genomes, which can integrate into the chromosomes of an infected cell. Pathogenic retroviruses include HIV and the causative agents of many vertebrate animal cancers.

(REH-troh-VY-rus) A type of virus that has RNA instead of DNA as its genetic material. It uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to become part of the host cells' DNA. This allows many copies of the virus to be made in the host cells. The virus that causes AIDS, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a type of retrovirus.

A type of virus that contains RNA as its genetic material. The RNA of the virus is translated into DNA, which inserts itself into an infected cell's own DNA. Retroviruses can cause many diseases, including some cancers and AIDS. See also cell, cancer