Reverse transcriptase

1) The major difference between these two is that the RNA viruses have RNA in their genome while the DNA viruses have DNA in their genome. Both the DNA and RNA cannot be found in the same virus. RNA virus first adsorbs to the host cell surface. Then the attached virus fuses with the endosome membrane. Unlike RNA viruses, DNA viruses pass their DNA into the nucleus of the host cell and not into the cytoplasm of the host cell. 2) Lysis: refers to the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often…

The Incredible Achievements in the Short History of HIV/AIDS Although commonly believed to have been transferred to humans by chimpanzees at some point between 1880 and 1920, the first official case of HIV occurred in the early 1980s. In November of 1982, there were 600 confirmed cases of AIDS, and the number was growing exponentially. In 1984, researchers discovered HIV, which is the virus that causes AIDS. At the time, patients with HIV that had progressed to would usually have somewhere…

all viruses share are some form of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), but it is an important distinction that both are never contained within one virus. HIV is an atypical virus, a retrovirus, one that contains RNA, which then triggers a process of reverse transcriptase, which creates DNA from RNA, which is the exact opposite of what most cells do. However,…

decrease genomic instability. TA-65 is only available through authorized, board-certified physicians. TA-65® was discovered by the biotech company Geron Corporation and is licensed for sale through T.A. Sciences. TA-65 turns on the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT), which activates the enzyme telomerase that can lengthen…

. One anti-retroviral drug Azidothymidine (AZT) inhibits the action of reverse transcriptase, allowing the virus to have the inability to produce DNA from the host cell’s DNA (Fauci, 2003). Unfortunately, HIV mutates rapidly and incorrectly resulting in resistance to AZT. Protease inhibitors combined with other effective drugs have been more effective in prolonging the lives of infected patients. The inhibitors block the viral enzyme protease, resulting in viral copies that cannot destroy/infect…

HIV Jennifer Raymond Kaplan University HIV The human immunodeficiency virus is commonly referred to as HIV. HIV is a virus that causes damage or kills the body’s immune system cells (HIV/AIDS, 2016). While it is attacking the immune system, HIV destroys CD4 positive T cells, which is a type of white blood cell that is extremely vital to fighting off infection (Understanding HIV/AIDS). The most advanced stage, or more commonly referred to as the “final stage” of HIV, is AIDS; which stands…

Once introduced within the body, the HIV virus binds to the surface of the CD4 cell. The HIV envelope and CD4 cell membrane will then fuse which allows HIV to enter the CD4 cell. Once it has entered the cell, the virus will release and use reverse transcriptase to convert its genetic material to the DNA. It will then enter the cell nucleus and combine with the cell genetic material. The cell will now make long chains of HIV proteins that are the building blocks for the HIV. Once all this is…

Biotechnology is the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of micro-organisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones and more or any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use (United Nations, 2012). Will the application of biotechnology in gene therapy be the solution for people that suffer from Chronic…

Lactate dehydrogenase was assayed according to the method of King (1965) [21]. Reagents required: 1. 0.1 M glycine buffer: 7.5 g of glycine and 5.85 mg of sodium chloride were dissolved in one litre of distilled water. 2. Buffered substrate: 2.76 g of lithium lactate was dissolved in 125 ml of glycine buffer containing 75 ml of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution. This was prepared just before use. 3. 0.4 N NaOH. 4. 5.0 mg of NAD+ was dissolved in 1.0 ml of distilled water just before use. 5.…

and protects the immune system. This process is called Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Some examples of antiretroviral medications include Nucleoside/non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors also called “nuke” that help block the most important step of HIV reproduction process. These two medicines block the enzyme reverse transcriptase and prevent the virus from making copies of its DNA. Another include protease inhibitors that blocks the strands of DNA from getting cut into functional…