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The HIV Life Cycle

By Mark Cichocki, R.N., About.com

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Susan Olender, MD

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Uncoating

Uncoating

Uncoating of the viral RNA

Partial uncoating of the viral core occurs to expose the viral RNA. Once in the cell cytoplasm, the conversion of the viral RNA into double-stranded DNA commences as the viral reverse transcriptase becomes active.

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