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AAT Bioquest

How does reverse transcriptase work?

Posted February 23, 2023


Answer

Reverse transcriptase, an enzyme found mainly in retroviruses, works by converting the RNA genome carried in the retrovirus particle into cDNA (complementary DNA) sequences that are capable of inserting into various areas of the genome.

Additional resources

Reverse transcriptase kinetics for one-step RT-PCR

DNA and RNA Quantitation

Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR)

ReadiScript™ RT Reverse Transcription Kit