The lifecycle of HIV
HIV cannot replicate on its own. It must enter into and use the mechanisms of the immune CD4 cells to make copies of itself.
HIV cannot replicate on its own. It must enter into and use the mechanisms of immune CD4 cells to make copies of itself.
HIV attaches to a CD4 cell. The HIV's viral envelope then fuses to the cell wall and releases the capsid.
The reverse transcription enzyme uses HIV RNA to create HIV DNA.
HIV DNA enters the CD4 cell nucleus, then uses integrase to insert itself into host cell DNA.
HIV DNA uses the host cell's enzymes to make mRNA. From mRNA long chains of HIV proteins are made.
HIV proteins are cut into smaller chains by protease enzymes, before assembling at the cell wall. Once assembled, the new virus pushes out of the CD4 cell. When the new virus has left the CD4 cell, it will mature to become infectious HIV.
Find out more about the science of HIV here.
