HIV retrovirus. Schematic illustration of the structure of a retrovirus,such as the HIV-1 virus that causes AIDS. At centre are RNA strands (red) making up the viral genetic material. The RNA is enclosed in a core protein shell (green). The outer envelope (yellow) consists of a lipid bi- layer,with protein spikes (orange). In the HIV virus the spikes consist of glycoprotein gp120 and it is these that recognise CD4 markers on white blood T-cells,causing T-cells to become infected. Retroviruses use their RNA to infect cells in a particular way. The HIV virus kills T-cells after infection,damaging the human immune system | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Leroy, Francis / Biocosmos |
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