transcriptase
nounUK /trænˈskrɪpteɪz/
US /trænˈskrɪpteɪs/
An enzyme that helps make a copy of genetic material.
The virus uses reverse transcriptase to copy its RNA into DNA.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that builds DNA from an RNA template.
Reverse transcriptase is a key tool in molecular biology labs.
3. RNA polymerase, an enzyme that copies DNA into RNA during transcription.
Transcriptase activity increased when the gene was switched on.
4. A viral enzyme that copies the viral genome inside a host cell.
The drug blocks the transcriptase of the virus.