Question

What happens during Reverse Transcription?

Answer 1

Hint: Transcription is the process of copying genetic information stored in a DNA genome into a complementary RNA strand. Reverse transcription is the opposite of this because it acts in the opposite direction to transcription. A unique enzyme is used in this process. Products of reverse transcription are integrated into the host genome.

Complete answer:
In Reverse transcription, as the name says reverse so the reverse process of transcription occurs. It is the process by which RNA is transcribed into cDNA. It occurs in retroviruses. A single stranded mRNA is used and DNA will be produced from mRNA. A new enzyme is used to polymerize the deoxyribonucleotide sequence with the single stranded mRNA to produce a DNA RNA hybrid. During the process dNTPs and a unique enzyme which is called reverse transcriptase enzyme are added. Reverse transcriptase is a RNA dependent DNA polymerase. This enzyme catalyses the reaction. Reverse transcription involves three main steps: primer annealing, followed by DNA polymerization and then enzyme deactivation. The temperature and duration of these steps may vary by factors such as: primer choice, target RNA, and reverse transcriptase used.

Note:
This process is very important because it is required in many different molecular biological aspects such as cloning, recombinant DNA technology experiments, virus reproduction etc. Reverse transcription reactions are to be carried out with a defined minimum amount of mRNA and high efficiency reverse transcriptase enzyme. The process of reverse transcription is extremely error- prone and this is the process when mutations can occur. DNA polymerization is a crucial step in the process.