What is distinctive about reverse transcriptase? Reverse Transcriptase: A Unique Enzyme in Molecular Biology

Reverse Transcriptase: A Distinctive Enzyme in Molecular Biology

Reverse Transcriptase (RT) is an enzyme present in retroviruses, that are particular types of viruses that comprise each DNA and RNA. RT is exclusive in that it’s the solely enzyme recognized to have the ability to transcribe RNA into DNA. This course of is called reverse transcription and is important for the replication of retroviruses. Reverse transcriptase has been extensively studied because the discovery of the enzyme in 1970 (Komaroff, 2020). RT can also be a key element of reverse genetics, which is a strong instrument used to review gene perform (Kumar et al, 2021). On this course of, RT is used to create a complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence that’s similar to the unique RNA sequence. This cDNA can then be used to clone, modify, or specific a gene of curiosity. Reverse transcriptase has additionally been used within the growth of a number of molecular biology strategies, comparable to PCR (Polymerase Chain Response) and RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription-Quantitative Polymerase Chain Response). In these strategies, RT is used to amplify a selected DNA sequence from a pattern. Cont….