Which enzyme converts HIV RNA into DNA?

Which enzyme converts HIV RNA into DNA?

• A. Reverse Transcriptase
• B. DNA Polymerase
• C. RNA Polymerase
• D. Ligase

Answer: (A)

In retroviruses like HIV, the genetic material is RNA, so the first step in infection is to convert that RNA into DNA. This is done by reverse transcriptase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that uses the viral RNA as a template to synthesize complementary DNA, creating a DNA copy that can be integrated into the host genome. From there, the viral DNA can be transcribed and translated by the host cell to produce new viral components, and the DNA copy is integrated into the host DNA by integrase. Other enzymes listed don’t perform RNA-to-DNA conversion: DNA polymerase builds DNA from a DNA template, RNA polymerase makes RNA from a DNA template, and ligase seals breaks in DNA. Therefore, the enzyme that converts HIV RNA into DNA is reverse transcriptase. Clinically, this enzyme is targeted by reverse transcriptase inhibitors used in antiretroviral therapy.

In retroviruses like HIV, the genetic material is RNA, so the first step in infection is to convert that RNA into DNA. This is done by reverse transcriptase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that uses the viral RNA as a template to synthesize complementary DNA, creating a DNA copy that can be integrated into the host genome. From there, the viral DNA can be transcribed and translated by the host cell to produce new viral components, and the DNA copy is integrated into the host DNA by integrase.

Other enzymes listed don’t perform RNA-to-DNA conversion: DNA polymerase builds DNA from a DNA template, RNA polymerase makes RNA from a DNA template, and ligase seals breaks in DNA. Therefore, the enzyme that converts HIV RNA into DNA is reverse transcriptase. Clinically, this enzyme is targeted by reverse transcriptase inhibitors used in antiretroviral therapy.