Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic cycle in Herpes Simplex Virus is a typical example. After entering the host, it travels along the sensory neurons of the host’s nervous system and remains undetected for long periods. On detecting a specific signal, the virus exits the lysogenic dormant stage and re-enters the lytic cycle, causing diseases. 

The steps in a lysogenic cycle depend solely on the virus’s ability to find a host. They are as follows:

1. Adsorption

This step is similar to the lytic cycle in bacteriophage, where the virus attaches explicitly to the receptors on the bacterial cell surface.

2. Penetration

After successful attachment, the phage injects its DNA into the host bacterial cell. This injection is often facilitated by viral enzymes or proteins that penetrate the cell membrane, allowing the viral DNA to enter the cell’s cytoplasm. On entering the host cell, the phage DNA circularizes.

3. Integration

The circular phage DNA then integrates into the host chromosome using site-specific recombination. It is the hallmark of the lysogenic cycle. Instead of taking immediate control, the viral DNA harmoniously coexists with the host DNA. This integrated state is often referred to as prophage, a key feature distinguishing the lysogenic cycle from the lytic cycle.

While integrated into the host genome, the prophage remains inactive and does not produce viral particles.

4. Replication

As the bacterium replicates its DNA, it makes numerous copies of the prophage. When the host cell undergoes cell division, the viral genes are subsequently passed on to the daughter cells and their DNA.

5. Induction

The lysogenic state of the virus may persist for an extended period. Under certain conditions, the phage is triggered to exit the bacterial chromosome and initiate the lytic cycle. It occurs in the presence of environmental stress like ultraviolet radiation or the presence of specific chemical signals.

6. Synthesis, Assembly, and Release

Upon entry into the lytic cycle, the virus utilizes the host cell machinery to synthesize its DNA and proteins required to produce new viruses (virions). The newly synthesized lysogenic phages destroy the host cell. They are released only to participate in a fresh infective cycle, and the process continues. The method of virion release in a lysogenized host is known as budding.

At the end of all these stages, the lysogenic host cell can either remain in the inactive latent form until further induction by factors such as UV radiation or may enter the lytic cycle, producing more virus particles.

The lysogenic cycle is thus an essential mechanism for transmitting the viral genetic material from one generation to another in the host cell. Also, it helps in the evolution of new viral strains.

In some cases, lysogenic viruses also benefit their host, increasing environmental stress resistance.

Understanding the mechanism of the lysogenic cycle is crucial for developing strategies to control the spread of viral infections and preparing new vaccines and therapies.

Lytic and lysogenic cycles are two forms of reproductive life cycles in bacteriophages. In both cases, the virus utilizes the host cell for its reproduction.

Basis	Lytic Cycle	Lysogenic Cycle
1. Integration of Viral and Host DNA	The DNA of the virus does not integrate with that of the host cell	The DNA of the virus integrates the host cell, forming prophage
2. Hijacking the Host Cell Machinery	Does not occur	Occurs
3. Host Cell Lysis	Occurs	Does not occur
4. DNA Replication	Viral DNA replication occurs independently of the host DNA replication.	Viral DNA replication co-occurs with host DNA replication.
5. Genetic Recombination	Does not occur	Occurs
6. Time	It takes less time than the lysogenic cycle	It takes more time than the lytic cycle
7. Symptoms	Signs of viral infection evident	Signs of viral infection not evident