Correct option is C
Reverse transcriptase catalyzes the synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA) from an RNA template, a process known as reverse transcription. The components required for assaying reverse transcriptase activity are:
DNA Primer: Reverse transcriptase can use a DNA primer (in this case, a short DNA sequence) to initiate the synthesis of cDNA from an RNA template. While RNA primers are often used in some systems (especially for more specific reactions like RT-PCR), reverse transcriptase can also work with DNA primers to start synthesizing the cDNA strand.
dNTPs (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates): These are the building blocks for cDNA synthesis. Reverse transcriptase uses dNTPs to build the complementary DNA strand from the RNA template.
Buffer: A suitable buffer is necessary to maintain the optimal pH and ionic strength for reverse transcriptase to work efficiently.
RNA Template: Reverse transcriptase requires an RNA template to synthesize cDNA, as it is an enzyme that uses RNA to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA).
Information Booster:
Reverse Transcriptase: Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template, a process that is opposite of normal transcription (DNA to RNA). This process is essential in many biological processes such as retroviral replication and is widely used in laboratory techniques like reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), which generates cDNA from mRNA.
dNTPs vs. NTPs:
- dNTPs (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates) are used by reverse transcriptase to synthesize the complementary DNA strand (cDNA).
- NTPs (nucleoside triphosphates) are used for RNA synthesis, not for reverse transcription. Therefore, reverse transcriptase activity requires dNTPs, not NTPs.
RNA Primer: An RNA primer or short RNA molecule is often used in processes like RNA sequencing, but reverse transcriptase can also use a DNA primer in many systems to initiate the synthesis of cDNA from an RNA template.
