RETROVIRAL MEDIATED GENE TRANSFER

Retrovirus
A class of viruses that can create
double-stranded DNA copies of
their RNA genomes.
These copies of its genome can
be integrated into the
chromosomes of host cells.
Human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) is a retrovirus.
• Group-specific antigen (gag) codes for core
and structural proteins of the virus,
polymerase (pol) codes for reverse
transcriptase, protease and integrase, and
envelope (env) codes for the retroviral coat
proteins .

Genome organisation of retroviruses

• Retroviral vectors are created by removal op the
retroviral gag, pol, and env genes. These are
replaced by the therapeutic gene.
• In order to produce vector particles a packaging
cell is essential. Packaging cell lines provide all
the viral proteins required for capsid production
and the virion maturation of the vector.
• These packaging cell lines have been made so
that they contain the gag, pol and env genes.
Producing recombinant retroviral vectors.
INTEGRATION OF RETROVIRUS
 Vectors  Advantages  Disadvantages Notes 

1. Only infects
1. Long lasting
dividing
gene expression Well suited for HSC
cells
due to gene therapy
Retroviruses 2. Potential
stable Note: 37% of all GT
insertional
integration trials use
mutagenesis
2. Enters cells retroviruses
3. Hard to produce
efficiently
(Low yield)