Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA, but integrase is the enzyme that inserts this viral DNA into the host genome, enabling persistent infection and pathogenesis.

Mon, 04 May 2026 02:48:21 +0000

**Stay Ahead in the Science of Persistent Infection: How Retroviruses Shape Pathogenesis Through RNA to DNA Conversion** Recent discussions around how certain viruses persist in the body have brought renewed focus on retroviruses—special classes of viruses that rely on reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA, then integrate that DNA into the host’s genome using integrase. This unique life cycle enables long-term infection and plays a key role in virus-related health challenges. For those asking, *“Retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA, but integrase is the enzyme that inserts this viral DNA into the host genome, enabling persistent infection and pathogenesis,”* the distinction is critical—not only for understanding disease progression but also for broader insights into viral behavior and medical responses. --- ### Why Retroviruses Use Reverse Transcriptase to Convert RNA into DNA, but Integrase Is the Insertion Workhorse