<P> One of the problems of gene therapy using retroviruses is that the integrase enzyme can insert the genetic material of the virus into any arbitrary position in the genome of the host ; it randomly inserts the genetic material into a chromosome . If genetic material happens to be inserted in the middle of one of the original genes of the host cell , this gene will be disrupted ( insertional mutagenesis ) . If the gene happens to be one regulating cell division , uncontrolled cell division ( i.e. , cancer ) can occur . This problem has recently begun to be addressed by utilizing zinc finger nucleases or by including certain sequences such as the beta - globin locus control region to direct the site of integration to specific chromosomal sites . </P>
<P> One of the problems of gene therapy using retroviruses is that the integrase enzyme can insert the genetic material of the virus into any arbitrary position in the genome of the host ; it randomly inserts the genetic material into a chromosome . If genetic material happens to be inserted in the middle of one of the original genes of the host cell , this gene will be disrupted ( insertional mutagenesis ) . If the gene happens to be one regulating cell division , uncontrolled cell division ( i.e. , cancer ) can occur . This problem has recently begun to be addressed by utilizing zinc finger nucleases or by including certain sequences such as the beta - globin locus control region to direct the site of integration to specific chromosomal sites . </P>
what is one problem associated with using retroviruses as human gene therapy vectors
what is one problem associated with using retroviruses as human gene therapy vectors
the integrase enzyme can insert the genetic material of the virus into any arbitrary position in the genome of the host
the integrase enzyme can insert the genetic material of the virus into any arbitrary position in the genome of the host