Question

You have purified genomic RNA from the following viruses: mumps virus, and HIV virus, and Zika virus. If used in a transfection experiment of permissive cells, show which RNA or RNA(s) will not lead to a productive infection. Discuss the reasons why some fail and others suceed.

Answer 1

The RNA of mumps virus and HIV virus will lead to the productive infection. But the RNA of Zika virus can't lead to the productive infection. Mumps virus and HIV virus are retrovirus. They can insert their genome to the DNA of their permissive (host) cells. If permissive cell divides, the DNA of the virus will be copied. So, infection can occur largely. But Zika virus is Flavivirus. It can't insert its genome to the DNA of its host cell. So, it can't divide largely. Thus, mumps virus and HIV virus lead to the productive infection but the zika virus fails to do so.