Definition of Reverse transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase: The enzyme that permits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other retroviruses to use their viral RNA as a template to make DNA.
Reverse transcriptase is so-named because it reverses the usual transcription of DNA into RNA and allows RNA to be transcribed into DNA.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5347
Last Editorial Review: 3/23/2003
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