Lentivirus

Definition

A lentivirus is a type of retrovirus characterized by its ability to integrate its genetic material into the host cell's genome, leading to long-term expression of the inserted genes. This feature makes lentiviruses particularly useful for gene delivery and therapeutic applications, including the development of advanced gene-editing tools that utilize CRISPR technology for precise modifications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lentiviruses can infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, making them more versatile than many other viral vectors.
2. The most well-known lentivirus is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which has been adapted for research and therapeutic use.
3. Lentiviral vectors are engineered to be replication-incompetent, meaning they cannot produce new virus particles after delivering their genetic material.
4. These vectors can accommodate larger genetic payloads compared to other viral vectors, allowing for the delivery of multiple genes or larger genes.
5. Lentiviral systems are often used in conjunction with CRISPR technology to enhance gene editing capabilities by delivering CRISPR components into target cells.

Review Questions

• How do lentiviruses differ from other types of retroviruses in terms of their infection capabilities?
  • Lentiviruses have a unique ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, which sets them apart from many other retroviruses that primarily target only actively dividing cells. This feature allows lentiviruses to be effective in delivering genetic material to a wider variety of cell types, including those in differentiated tissues. Consequently, this broad tropism makes lentiviruses highly valuable in gene therapy and gene editing applications.
• Discuss the role of lentiviral vectors in the context of gene therapy and how they contribute to long-term gene expression.
  • Lentiviral vectors play a crucial role in gene therapy by enabling stable integration of therapeutic genes into the host genome. Once integrated, these genes can be expressed over an extended period, providing a lasting effect compared to transient expression methods. The ability to persistently express therapeutic genes makes lentiviral vectors particularly attractive for treating chronic diseases where sustained gene expression is essential for effective treatment.
• Evaluate the implications of using lentiviral vectors in combination with CRISPR technology for advanced genetic engineering applications.
  • Combining lentiviral vectors with CRISPR technology enhances the precision and efficiency of genetic modifications. Lentiviruses facilitate the delivery of CRISPR components—such as Cas9 and guide RNAs—directly into target cells, enabling specific edits at designated genomic sites. This synergy not only improves the success rate of gene editing but also allows for more complex modifications, such as multiplex editing, which can simultaneously target multiple genes. As a result, this approach has significant implications for therapeutic strategies aimed at treating genetic disorders or engineering cellular models for research.

Related terms

Retrovirus: A class of viruses that replicate in a host cell through reverse transcription, converting their RNA genome into DNA.

Transduction: The process by which a virus transfers genetic material into a host cell, enabling the introduction of new genes.

Gene Therapy: A medical intervention that involves altering the genes inside a patient's cells to treat or prevent disease.