Lead Inventor:
Stephen Goff, Ph.D.
Retrovirus Life Cycle Defined by Reverse Transcriptase:
Reverse transcriptase (RT) is responsible for the synthesis of a double-stranded linear DNA copy of the RNA genome, which is subsequently inserted into the host genome to form the integrated proviral DNA. It plays a defining role in the life cycle of retrovirus. RT can only use deoxyribonucleotides but not ribonucleotides as substrates. This technology, by substituting one residue in the Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase, provides a polypeptide capable of incorporating ribonucleotide substrates into genomic products. This renders the enzyme RNA polymerase activity.
Leukemia Virus Allows for Reverse Transcriptase Creation:
This technology provides:
• polypeptide capable of polymerizing i) deoxyribonucleotides; ii) ribonucleotides; or iii) one or more deoxyribonucleotides and one or more ribonucleotides
• a purified Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptaseas
• a method of polymerizing a nucleic acid molecule to permit incorporation of deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides into a nucleic acid molecule
• a method of converting a DNA polymerase into an RNA polymerase
Applications:
• This reverse transcriptase provides a useful tool for polymerizing deoxyribonucleotides, and/or ribonucleotide
• Synthesize double-stranded linear DNA copy of the RNA genome
• Synthesize RNA product that could potentially be used as probe
Advantages:
• Gene product (RNA or DNA) can be selectively synthesized based on the residue difference in the enzyme
• Increase the efficiency of genomic replication of virus, which might aid virus infection
Patent Status: Patent Issued (US 6,136,582) ~ see link below.
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing
Publications: Gao G, Goff S. Conferring RNA polymerase activity to a DNA polymerase: a single residue in reverse transcriptase controls substrate selection.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 94:407-411 (1997)
