reverse transcriptase
noun
reverse tran·scrip·tase
-ˌtran-ˈskrip-(ˌ)tās 
-(ˌ)tāz
: a polymerase especially of retroviruses that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template
Examples of reverse transcriptase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To make cDNA, researchers take a cell's messenger RNA and, with the help of the enzyme reverse transcriptase, replicate the sequence with DNA's building blocks.
—
Lisa Raffensperger, Discover Magazine, 14 June 2013
Retroviruses, on the other hand, start with RNA and make DNA templates, using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase; the resulting DNA then exploits human cellular machinery to create more copies of the virus.
—Jill Neimark, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2011
The medications target a unique enzyme in HIV called reverse transcriptase, which then prevents the virus from replicating and infecting cells in the body, Alan explains.
—Korin Miller, Health.com, 9 Dec. 2021
The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 6 May 2021
Similar constructs, dubbed retrons for the reverse transcriptase, were found in many bacteria.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 11 Nov. 2020
At a lab, a technician performs a test often used for flu – a RT-PCR, or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
—Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, 24 Mar. 2020
Viral Detection To determine whether a nasopharyngeal sample is positive for the coronavirus, biotechnicians use a technique known as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR.
—Jim Daley, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2020
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Lisa Raffensperger, Discover Magazine, 14 June 2013
Retroviruses, on the other hand, start with RNA and make DNA templates, using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase; the resulting DNA then exploits human cellular machinery to create more copies of the virus.
—Jill Neimark, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2011
The medications target a unique enzyme in HIV called reverse transcriptase, which then prevents the virus from replicating and infecting cells in the body, Alan explains.
—Korin Miller, Health.com, 9 Dec. 2021
The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.
—Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 6 May 2021
Similar constructs, dubbed retrons for the reverse transcriptase, were found in many bacteria.
—Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 11 Nov. 2020
At a lab, a technician performs a test often used for flu – a RT-PCR, or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
—Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, 24 Mar. 2020
Viral Detection To determine whether a nasopharyngeal sample is positive for the coronavirus, biotechnicians use a technique known as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR.
—Jim Daley, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near reverse transcriptase
Cite this Entry
“Reverse transcriptase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverse%20transcriptase. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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