Reverse Transcriptase

Source – This post on Reverse Transcriptase has been created based on the article “The bacteria that write new genes to cope with infections” published in “The Hindu” on 5 June 2024.

Why in News?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the enzyme reverse transcriptase was widely used in labs worldwide. It became the gold standard for detecting the SARS-2 virus through diagnostic tests.

About Reverse Transcriptase and Its Role in Bacteria

1. Reverse transcriptase was discovered independently by Howard Temin and David Baltimore in 1970, as published in the journal Nature. This enzyme can reverse the usual flow of genetic information by converting RNA into DNA.

2.  This discovery changed the understanding of genetic information flow and revolutionized research methods, allowing scientists to study genes more effectively.

3. Application in Diagnostics and Treatment

i) Diagnostics: The enzyme is crucial in molecular diagnostics, converting viral RNA into DNA to measure viral loads especially in diseases like hepatitis B and HIV.

ii) Treatment of HIV: Reverse transcriptase inhibitors became a fundamental part of treating HIV/AIDS which is significantly improving patient survival rates.

About Bacterial Reverse Transcriptase and Gene Creation

1. The first bacterial reverse transcriptase was identified in 1989, showing that bacteria have similar genetic mechanisms as humans.

2. Function in Klebsiella pneumoniae: When attacked by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria use reverse transcriptase to create DNA from non-coding RNA, leading to the production of a protein named ‘Neo’.

3. Defense Mechanism: The researchers have named this protein ‘Neo,’ which stands for “never-ending open-reading frame.”

Neo can put the bacterial cell into a sort of deep sleep, stopping it from multiplying. This also stops the virus that’s infecting the bacteria from multiplying, effectively halting the infection.

 Implications and Future Directions

1. Potential in Biotechnology and Medicine: The role of reverse transcriptase in bacterial defense opens new avenues for biotechnological and medical innovations, particularly in combating antimicrobial resistance.

2. Research Opportunities: Exploring reverse transcriptases further could unveil new genetic evolution mechanisms and viral resistance strategies, offering novel therapeutic and biotechnological applications.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology