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transcriptase Definition

tran·scrip·tase (tran skriptās)

noun

an RNA polymerase that uses DNA as a template to produce ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, or messenger RNA

Etymology: transcript(ion) + -ase

transcriptase Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • call: This is achieved by a compound essential to the virus, called reverse transcriptase.
  • inhibit: Nucleoside analogs such as AZT, nucleotide analogs such as tenofovir and NNRTIs such as nevirapine, inhibit reverse transcriptase.

Adjective modifier

  • reverse: Reverse transcriptase is an important enzyme used in making new virus.
  • hiv-1: Collaboration with the group of Dr. David Stammers continues to address the structure of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Modifies a noun

  • polymerase: Expression levels for receptors and ligands were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis.
  • inhibitor: The most common antiviral drugs for HIV are reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
  • enzyme: Both drugs act by terminating the growth of the DNA chain and inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme of HIV.
  • reaction: Expression levels for receptors and ligands were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis.
  • chain: Expression levels for receptors and ligands were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis.
  • activity: Clinical trials show the extract also inhibits the flu virus, and lab research indicates the whole plant extract has reverse transcriptase inhibitor activity.

Noun used with modifier

  • nucleoside: This medicine contains the active ingredient emtricitabine, which is a type of medicine called a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
  • nucleotide: Tenofovir is a very closely related medicine, called a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
  • enzyme: DNA can still be made from RNA today by the enzyme reverse transcriptase found in many viruses.