Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme which is responsible for catalyzing the process of transcription in the retroviruses. It is also known as RNA-directed DNA polymerase. The RNA present in the retroviruses is copied in the form of DNA. This process is the reverse of the normal cellular transcription in which the information present in the sequences of DNA is copied into that of a messenger RNA molecule. This is why it is named as reverse transcriptase.
It is very significant for the infectious nature of the viruses. These viruses cause a number of diseases like AIDS, leukaemia etc. in humans. Moreover, reverse transcriptase is commonly used as a powerful tool in the process of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
As discussed in Chapter 18, some viruses contain RNA as their
This chapter describes different types of TEs, including insertion elements,
What is the role of reverse transcriptase in the reproductive cycle of
Starting with a sample of RNA that contains the mRNA for the
