Retroviruses manufacture a double-stranded DNA copy of their RNA genome. This inverted flow of genetic information from RNA to DNA requires a unique enzyme contained within the capsid called reverse transcriptase. Many of the AIDS therapies target reverse transcriptase. Assembly of viral components Assembly of viral nucleic acid occurs in one of two ways. The nucleic acid is packaged in a pre-assembled capsid or the nucleic acid associates with the capsid proteins during the capsid assembly process.
Some host cells burst during viral release.
However, most enveloped viruses leave the host cell undamaged by a process called budding. The latter process called exocytosis resembles a reversed version of penetration and results in more viruses potentially being produced because the still infected host cell is left functioning. Viral infection of cell cultures may induce several other morphological changes. For example, fusion of cells into larger cells with multiple nuclei, clumping of cells or development of inclusion bodies. CPEs are usually characteristic of a specific virus.