reverse transcriptase
Noun: An enzyme (a type of polymerase) that catalyzes the synthesis of DNA from an RNA template. This process, called reverse transcription, is contrary to the usual flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA. Reverse transcriptase is a defining characteristic of retroviruses.
Reverse transcriptase is a specific scientific term. It is used primarily in the contexts of virology, molecular biology, and genetics to describe this key enzyme. * The reverse transcriptase of HIV is a major target for antiretroviral drugs. * Scientists used reverse transcriptase to convert the viral RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) for analysis. * The discovery of reverse transcriptase challenged the central dogma of molecular biology.
- Reverse transcriptase inhibitor: A class of drugs that blocks the activity of the reverse transcriptase enzyme, used to treat retroviral infections like HIV.
- The patient's regimen includes a combination of reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors.
- Reverse transcription (n): The process catalyzed by reverse transcriptase, where DNA is synthesized from an RNA template.
- Reverse transcription is an essential step in the life cycle of a retrovirus.
- RNA-directed DNA polymerase (This is a more descriptive technical synonym.)
The term "reverse transcriptase" has a single, specific meaning in biochemistry and virology. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.
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a polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template; found especially in retroviruses
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