From the Research
Virus Characteristics
- HTLV (Human T-lymphotropic virus) is a retrovirus that contains reverse transcriptase in its virion 1, 2.
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is also a retrovirus with reverse transcriptase in its virion 1, 3, 4, 2.
- EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) is a DNA virus and does not require reverse transcriptase for its replication.
- HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) is a DNA virus, but it replicates through an RNA intermediate and contains a reverse transcriptase-like enzyme in its virion 4.
Reverse Transcriptase in Virions
- Retroviruses, including HTLV and HIV, have reverse transcriptase in their virions 1, 3, 4, 2.
- HBV, a member of the Hepadnaviridae family, also contains a reverse transcriptase-like enzyme in its virion 4.
- There is no evidence to suggest that EBV lacks DNA polymerase in its virion, but rather it is a DNA virus that does not require reverse transcriptase for replication.
Conclusion Drawn from Evidence
Based on the provided evidence, it appears that EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) is the virus that lacks reverse transcriptase (an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase) in its virion, as it is a DNA virus and does not require this enzyme for replication 1, 3, 4, 2.