reverse transcriptase

reverse transcriptase

n.

A polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA on an RNA template, found in oncogenic viruses containing RNA, especially the retroviruses.

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reverse transcriptase [trænˈskrɪpteɪz]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) an enzyme present in retroviruses that copies RNA into DNA, thus reversing the usual flow of genetic information in which DNA is copied into RNA

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reverse transcriptase

Any of a class of enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA from an RNA template and are found in retroviruses, and also in certain body cells (such as stem cells) as the enzyme telomerase. The action of reverse transcriptase runs in the opposite direction from normal genetic transcription in the cell, in which RNA is copied from DNA. Drugs that inhibit the action of viral reverse transcriptase have been used to treat retroviral infections such as AIDS, and those that inhibit telomerase are potential anticancer agents.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

reverse transcriptase - a polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template; found especially in retroviruses polymerase - an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of new DNA and RNA from an existing strand of DNA or RNA