provirus
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A provirus is a virus genome that is integrated into the DNA of a host cell. In the case of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), proviruses are often referred to as prophages. However, proviruses are distinctly different from prophages and these terms should not be used interchangeably. Unlike prophages, proviruses do not excise themselves from the host genome when the host cell is stressed.
Research
8,915 papers- t-RNA mediates provirus deletion in HIV-infected cells.Retrovirology · 2025
- [Provirus and diseases].Nihon Naika Gakkai zasshi. The Journal of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine · 2001
- Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms Affecting HTLV-1 Provirus.Viruses · 2016
- In vivo, in vitro, and in silico analysis of methylation of the HIV-1 provirus.Methods (San Diego, Calif.) · 2011
- Retroviruses in foreign species and the problem of provirus silencing.Gene · 2000
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A provirus is a virus genome that is integrated into the DNA of a host cell. In the case of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), proviruses are often referred to as prophages. However, proviruses are distinctly different from prophages and these terms should not be used interchangeably. Unlike prophages, proviruses do not excise themselves from the host genome when the host cell is stressed.
This state can be a stage of virus replication, or a state that persists over longer periods of time as either inactive viral infections or an endogenous viral element. In inactive viral infections the virus will not replicate itself except through replication of its host cell. This state can last over many host cell generations.