Viral genome integration

Viral protein involved in the integration of a virus genome into the host DNA. Integrated viral DNA is referred to as a provirus in the case of retroviruses or prophage in the case of prokaryotic viruses. The integrated viral genome does not necessarily make new DNA copies of itself while integrated into a host genome. Instead, it can remain latent and be passively replicated along with the host genome and passed on to the original cell's offspring; all descendants of the infected cell will also bear it in their genomes. The host's environmental conditions changes can however reactivate the virus leading to viral transcription and production of new infectious viruses (productive infection). Integration is a crucial step in replication of retroviruses, as well as some phages. Integration is not part of the viral replication cycle of phycodnaviruses, adeno-associated virus type 2, and human herpesvirus 6A genome, but can occasionally occur.

Source:http://purl.uniprot.org/keywords/1179