What enzyme does HIV use to convert RNA to DNA

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA.

• How It Works:
  1. HIV is an RNA virus, specifically a retrovirus.
• 2. After entering a host cell (usually a CD4+ T-cell), the viral RNA genome is released.
• 3. Reverse transcriptase then converts the single-stranded viral RNA into double-stranded DNA.
• 4. This newly synthesized viral DNA is integrated into the host cell’s DNA using another enzyme called integrase.

Key Points:
1. Enzyme name: Reverse Transcriptase

2. Function: RNA → DNA (reverse of normal transcription in cells)

3. Why it matters: This step is crucial for HIV’s ability to hijack the host cell and replicate, making reverse transcriptase a major target for antiretroviral drugs.