Reaction: a 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate + DNAn = diphosphate + DNAn+1
Other name(s): DNA nucleotidyltransferase (RNA-directed); reverse transcriptase; revertase; RNA-dependent deoxyribonucleate nucleotidyltransferase; RNA revertase; RNA-dependent DNA polymerase; RNA-instructed DNA polymerase; RT
Systematic name: 2'-deoxyribonucleoside-5'-triphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase (RNA-directed)
Comments: Catalyses RNA-template-directed extension of the 3'- end of a DNA strand by one deoxynucleotide at a time. Cannot initiate a chain de novo. Requires an RNA or DNA primer. DNA can also serve as template. See also EC 2.7.7.7 DNA-directed DNA polymerase.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 9068-38-6
References:
1. Baltimore, D. RNA-dependent DNA polymerase in virions of RNA tumour viruses. Nature 226 (1970) 1209-1211. [PMID: 4316300]
2. Temin, H. and Mizutani, S. RNA-dependent DNA polymerase in virions of Rous sarcoma virus. Nature 226 (1970) 1211-1213. [PMID: 4316301]