Basic understanding of retroviruses
Hatanaka, M.
Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 30(5): 742-745
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1542 PMID: 1630036 Document Number: 393027
Retroviruses contain a reverse transcriptase in the virion that converts viral genomic RNA to proviral DNA. Retroviruses are divided into three groups; oncovirus, lentivirus, and spumavirus. The oncovirus group contains HTLV-1, which causes adult T-cell leukemia, encephalomyeloneuropathy, arthritis, and alveolo-bronchopathy. The lentivirus groups contains HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and dementia. The genomic structures and functions of HTLV-1 and HIV have been demonstrated to explain the pathogenesis of these retroviruses.