ok so the virus injects their genome into the host [a eukaryotic one for this case], then it replicates using the host's cellular machinery. but in order to replicate it needs the DNA or RNA polymerases right? and those are located in the nucleus right? so how exactly does the wobbly DnA or RNA of a virus get through the hard nucleus ?
Viruses their genome and host nucleus?abtuvurys 2005
Most RNA viruses of eukaryotes replicate in the cytoplasm. The majority of these viruses encode all the enzymes for replication of their genomes and do not require enzymes from the nucleus. Influenza virus is an exception in this regard.
Retroviruses are RNA viruses as well, and they must copy their genomes to the nucleus. First, they copy their genome to DNA in the cytoplasm, then, most retroviruses wait until mitosis begins. Recall that when a cell in in its 'resting state', the replication machinery is 'turned off' in the cell to conserve energy. However, viruses being creative as they are, find ways to 'switch on' this process. In doing so, the nuclear envelope is temporarily broken down, allowing the virus and associated proteins to enter the nucleus. The 'nuclear pore' is basically the 'gate' which is used as the entry point for the viral material (assuming it's not too big; the pore is pretty small and some juggling is necessary for larger viral particles to make it thru).
The 'teathering' of this is done by mircotubules, effectively 'railroad tracks' which transport stuff from the envelope to various cellular components. One of the target components is the nucleus. Viruses that need the nucleus use these railroad tracks to get to the centrosome to gain access.
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