Q. 15 - Biology

Question

People with the $CCR5\Delta 32$ mutation of a $T$-cell surface protein can be exposed to some strains of$HIV-1$ without becoming sick. What step of the virus life cycle is likely to be inhibited with this mutation? 

a. Release 

b. Reverse transcription 

c. Uncoating 

d. Attachment 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Attachment is likely to be inhibited with this mutation.

Step 1: Introduction

Attachment, penetration, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release are the processes involved in the virus replication cycle in most viral infections. 

Only after the viral capsid, which is present inside the cell, is degraded, is nucleic acid released.

Step 2: Explanation

The nucleic acid becomes available for replication and transcription after it has been released. Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that converts RNA templates back into DNA. In uninfected host cells, however, reverse transcription is futile.

As a result, the wrong choices are a, b, and c.

The process of attachment is the step in the virus's life cycle that is most likely to be impacted by mutation. 

The attachment protein aids virus attachment to a specific receptor location on the host's cell membrane.