Reverse transcription

Reverse transcription is a process, not a molecule or receptor, whereby complementary DNA (cDNA) is synthesized from an RNA template by the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Therefore, "reverse transcription" itself is not considered a therapeutic target, molecule, or receptor, but rather a biochemical reaction or mechanism mediated by specific enzymes. This enzymatic activity enables the transfer of genetic information from RNA to DNA, in apparent reverse of the canonical central dogma (DNA → RNA → protein). Reverse transcription is essential for the replication of retroviruses, such as HIV, and is foundational in various molecular biology techniques, including the generation of cDNA for RNA sequencing, RT-PCR, and molecular diagnostics. The enzyme responsible, reverse transcriptase, is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that possesses both DNA polymerase and RNase H activities. Reverse transcription is not a druggable target in and of itself; rather, inhibition of reverse transcriptase enzymes is a major strategy for antiviral therapy (e.g., HIV/AIDS treatment). Reverse transcription should not be described as a molecule, receptor, or direct therapeutic target, but as a molecular process enabled by the reverse transcriptase enzyme. If detailed, structured target information is needed, specification should be made for "Reverse transcriptase" rather than "Reverse transcription".

Other names

reverse RNA transcriptionRNA-dependent DNA synthesis