The online resource for HIV and AIDS information. To express the new genes, RNA must copy them through transcription.
Transcription is accomplished using the cell's own enzymes.
The cell's RNA polymerase must be activated by various molecular switches located in two stretches near the ends of the provirus. The LTR's are turned on by proteins that bind to controlling sequences. Other RNA becomes encased within the viral core proteins to become the new viruses. The RNA strands that are splices become the mRNA strands used in protein synthesis. Two distinct phases of transcription follow the HIV infection of an individual cell.