: Another enzyme, integrase , carries this viral DNA into the cell's nucleus and "clips" it into the host's own DNA. At this stage, the integrated viral DNA is known as a provirus .
: The virus attaches to specific receptors on a host cell (like CD4 receptors in the case of HIV) and fuses with the membrane, releasing its RNA and enzymes into the cytoplasm. Retrovirus
: The host cell's machinery mistakenly treats the provirus as one of its own genes, producing viral mRNA and proteins. These components assemble into new, immature viral particles that bud off from the cell. : Another enzyme, integrase , carries this viral