👉 Carbon:Infection is a term used in virology to describe a specific mechanism by which certain viruses, particularly retroviruses like HIV, integrate their genetic material into the host cell's DNA. The process begins when the virus enters the host cell and releases its RNA genome. An enzyme called reverse transcriptase then converts this RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA). This cDNA is transported into the nucleus, where another enzyme, integrase, helps it insert into the host cell's chromosomal DNA. Once integrated, the viral genes can be transcribed and translated by the host cell's machinery, leading to the production of new viral particles. This integration allows the virus to persist within the host, potentially causing chronic infection and complicating treatment efforts.
