Retrovirus

retrovirus /ret·ro·vi·rus/ (ret´ro-vi?rus) a large group of RNA viruses that includes the leukoviruses and lentiviruses; so called because they carry reverse transcriptase.

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ret·ro·vi·rus (rtr-vrs, rtr-v-)

n. pl. ret·ro·vi·rus·es

A virus of the family Retroviridae.

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Retrovirus

A family of RNA viruses containing a reverse transcriptase enzyme which allows the viruses' genetic information to become part of the genetic information of the host cell upon replication.

Mentioned in: AIDS, AIDS Tests, Antiretroviral Drugs, Antiviral Drugs, Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

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retrovirus (ret´rōvīrus),

n a virus containing ribonucleic acid rather than deoxyribonucleic acid.

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retrovirus

a member of the family Retroviridae.

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defective retrovirus

a virus unable to replicate independently; commonly the result of loss of part of the envelope gene when leukosis viruses acquire an oncogene. Propagation is achieved by coinfection with a leukosis virus able to provide the envelope for the defective virus.

endogenous retrovirus

one transmitted in germ-line DNA from an infected parent to offspring.

exogenous retrovirus

one transmitted horizontally.

rapidly transforming retrovirus

characterized by rapid oncogenesis attributable to the v-onc gene which they carry.

slowly transforming retrovirus

weakly oncogencic after a long incubation period. They do not carry the v-onc gene.