Figure 1. Reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome generates a linear DNA duplex.

Figure 1

Reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome generates a linear DNA duplex. The positions of the R, U5, and U3 regions, the polypurine tract (PPT), and the primer-binding site (PBS) are indicated. Reverse transcription creates duplications of the U5 and U3 regions such that the DNA product is longer than the RNA at both ends. This is the origin of the two long terminal repeats (LTRs) (each consisting of U3/R/U5 regions) that are characteristic of the DNA form of the viral genome.

From: Overview of Reverse Transcription

Cover of Retroviruses
Retroviruses.
Coffin JM, Hughes SH, Varmus HE, editors.
Cold Spring Harbor (NY): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 1997.
Copyright © 1997, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

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