Retroviruses are more than just pathogens; they are masters of genetic hijacking that have left an indelible mark on the Tree of Life. From the ongoing global challenge of HIV to the ancient "junk DNA" that shapes our biology, retroviruses continue to be a primary focus of medical research and evolutionary study.
Pan-vertebrate comparative genomics unmasks retrovirus ... - PNAS Retrovirus
: The host cell's machinery mistakenly treats the provirus as one of its own genes, producing viral mRNA and proteins. These components assemble into new, immature viral particles that bud off from the cell. Retroviruses are more than just pathogens; they are