transcriptase

[ tran-skrip-teys, -teyz ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. RNA polymerase.

transcriptase

/ trænˈskrɪpteɪz /

noun

1. See reverse transcriptase

Word History and Origins

Origin of transcriptase¹

First recorded in 1963; transcript(ion) + -ase

Example Sentences

One component is the prime editor, which combines a SpCas9 protein, used in the first CRISPR-Cas gene editing technology, and a reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that transcribes RNA into DNA.

From Science Daily

Retrons carry an enzyme called reverse transcriptase that builds DNA strands based on RNA.

From Scientific American

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.

From Science Magazine

Having a drug from a new class is important, because the rise of resistance to one drug from any class — such as fusion inhibitors or reverse transcriptase inhibitors — often creates cross-resistance to all similar drugs.

From Seattle Times

Eventually they realized an enzyme called reverse transcriptase had made that DNA from the attached RNA, and that all three molecules—RNA, DNA, and enzyme—formed a complex.

From Science Magazine