Retroviral integration

Retroviral integration is the process by which retroviruses, a type of virus, insert their genetic material into the DNA of a host cell. When a retrovirus infects a cell, it first converts its RNA into DNA through an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. This new DNA is then integrated into the host's genome, allowing the virus to replicate along with the host's own DNA. This integration can disrupt normal cellular functions and may lead to various diseases, including certain cancers. Essentially, the virus hijacks the host cell’s machinery to propagate itself.