retrovirus

[ re-truh-vahy-ruhs, re-truh-vahy- ]

noun,plural ret·ro·vi·rus·es.

any of a family of single-stranded RNA viruses having a helical envelope and containing an enzyme that allows for a reversal of genetic transcription, from RNA to DNA rather than the usual DNA to RNA, the newly transcribed viral DNA being incorporated into the host cell's DNA strand for the production of new RNA retroviruses: the family includes the AIDS virus and certain oncogene-carrying viruses implicated in various cancers.

Origin of retrovirus

First recorded in 1975–80; retro- + virus

Other words from retrovirus

ret·ro·vi·ral, adjective

Words Nearby retrovirus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use retrovirus in a sentence

By targeting germ cells, these retroviruses became incorporated into human ancestral genomes over the course of millions of years and may have implications for how researchers screen and test for diseases today.
Humans Are 8% Virus—How Ancient Viral DNA in Our Genome Plays a Role in Disease and Development | Aidan Burn | October 28, 2022 | Singularity Hub
Despite this, dozens more clinical trials were conducted throughout the 1990s with retroviruses and other vectors, including adenovirus, a cause of the common cold.
How gene therapy overcame high-profile failures | Megan Scudellari | March 22, 2022 | Science News
For example, pig organs can contain retroviruses that lie dormant in genes.
What does the first successful test of a pig-to-human kidney transplant mean? | Jonathan Lambert | October 22, 2021 | Science News
At some point during evolution, the protein syncytin, which is essential for the formation of the placenta, came from a retrovirus infection.
The Vast Viral World: What We Know (and Don’t Know) - Issue 99: Universality | Lauren E. Oakes | April 7, 2021 | Nautilus
He was part of the groundbreaking team that first discovered a retrovirus causes AIDS.
How Botswana Beat AIDS | Danielle Friedman | June 4, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST

Instead of using a retrovirus (as Japanese scientists had done) that can cause cancer, they are using an adenovirus which is safe.
Bush's Deadly Blunder | Jeffrey Hart | November 26, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for retrovirus

retrovirus

/ (ˈrɛtrəʊˌvaɪrəs) /

noun

any of several viruses whose genetic specification is encoded in RNA rather than DNA and that are able to reverse the normal flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA by transcribing RNA into DNA: many retroviruses are known to cause cancer in animals

Derived forms of retrovirus

retroviral, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for retrovirus

retrovirus

[ rĕt′rō-vī′rəs ]

Any of a group of RNA viruses whose RNA is used as a template inside a host cell for the formation of DNA by means of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The DNA thus formed is inserted into the host cell's genome. Most retroviruses can cause cancer. Retroviruses also include HIV.

Other words from retrovirus

retroviral adjective

Cultural definitions for retrovirus

retrovirus

A virus, such as HIV, whose RNA codes for DNA, which is then inserted into some part of the host's DNA. This virus comes with its own special enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, which facilitates this insertion.

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