EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Viral protein involved in the integration of a virus genome into the host DNA. Integrated viral DNA is referred to as a provirus in the case of retroviruses or prophage in the case of prokaryotic viruses. The integrated viral genome does not necessarily make new DNA copies of itself while integrated into a host genome.

Detailed explanation-2: -So, the correct answer is ‘prophage’

Detailed explanation-3: -pro·vi·rus (ˈ)prō-ˈvī-rəs. : a form of a virus that is integrated into the genetic material of a host cell and by replicating with it can be transmitted from one cell generation to the next without causing lysis.

Detailed explanation-4: -The linear viral DNA is the proximal precursor to the integrated provirus and is contained in a specific nucleoprotein complex. This preintegration complex is derived in part from the virion core particle and retains a subset of the virion proteins.

Detailed explanation-5: -Establishment of an integrated copy of the viral genome – the provirus – is a critical step in the life cycle of retroviruses. Proviral DNA is transcribed by cellular RNA polymerase II to produce the viral RNA genome and the mRNAs required to complete the replication cycle.