Reverse transcriptases are enzymes encoded in retroviruses viral genome. The enzyme is responsible for transcription of the viral RNA to produce a dsDNA that can be inserted into the host genome.
Reverse transcriptases are multifunctional enzymes. These enzymes exhibit an RNA and DNA directed polymerase activity. In addition reverse transcriptases catalyze the degradation of RNA in an RNA-DNA hybrid. The exonucleolytic activity proceeds in a 5' ---> 3' direction. The RNA or DNA directed activity requires a template (RNA or DNA) and a primer.
