>>12892993>>12893127>>12892973Neither of you are being completely accurate.
First, it is not only retroviruses that possess the ability to integrate into host genomes. Any virus with the integrase enzyme is capable of this in a timely manner. This includes phage viruses.
Second, a virus does not "hijack host DNA", rather, they hijack the DNA-specific DNA or RNA polymerase proteins within the host cell nucleus in order to have their genes replicated and transcribed. This is true for all classes of viruses, whether they be DNA or RNA. It is essentially hitching a ride and getting to use other people's tools for free.
Third, retroviruses do not "insert into the nucleus," they must necessarily insert their genomes into the cytoplasm first, where reverse transcriptase, which is not from the host cell, rather, the virus itself, catalyzes the retroviruses' RNA genome to cDNA. During this process, the virus, protein coat is diassembled. The cDNA then migrates to the nucleus. All viral genetic material, whether it be from DNA viruses, phages, or retroviruses, must first enter the cytoplasm, then make their way to the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.
Fourth, in regards to eukaryotes, the "cells machinery for assembling" is only in the cytoplasm with respect to proteins. All DNA and RNA replication, production, and modification occurs in the nucleus.
