Definitions for reverse transcriptasetrænˈskrɪp teɪs, -teɪz
This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word reverse transcriptase
a polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template; found especially in retroviruses
A polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA from RNA; found in retroviruses.
Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme used to generate complementary DNA from an RNA template, a process termed reverse transcription. RT is needed for the replication of retroviruses, and RT inhibitors are widely used as antiretroviral drugs. RT activity is also associated with the replication of chromosome ends and some mobile genetic elements. Retroviral RT has three sequential biochemical activities-- RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, ribonuclease H, and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase. These activities are used by the retrovirus to convert single-stranded genomic RNA into double-stranded cDNA which can integrate into the host genome, potentially generating a long-term infection that can be very difficult to eradicate. The same sequence of reactions is widely used in the laboratory to convert RNA to DNA for use in molecular cloning, RNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, or genome analysis. Well studied reverse transcriptases include: ⁕HIV-1 reverse transcriptase from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ⁕M-MLV reverse transcriptase from the Moloney murine leukemia virus ⁕AMV reverse transcriptase from the avian myeloblastosis virus
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"reverse transcriptase." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2015. Web. 1 Aug. 2015. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/reverse transcriptase>.