Early post-infection, the reverse transcriptase converts the viral RNA genome into double-stranded viral DNA. The RNase H domain of the reverse transcriptase performs two functions. It degrades the RNA template and specifically removes the RNA primer from the RNA/DNA hybrid. Following nuclear import, the integrase catalyzes the insertion of the linear, double-stranded viral DNA into the host cell chromosome. Endogenous Pol proteins may have kept, lost or modified their original function during evolution.
Specificity
Natural and recombinant Human HERV-K_19q12 provirus ancestral Pol protein