Question

The process of reverse transcription was brought to light by the work of

• A. George Beadle and Edward Tatum
• B. Garrod
• C. H. W. Temin and D. Baltimore
• D. R. W. Holley and Grover
• E. Marshall and W Nirenberg

Answer 1

The correct option is C H. W. Temin and D. Baltimore

Reverse transcription is the formation of cDNA (complementary DNA), double-stranded DNA, from an mRNA template. This is carried out by the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Temin and Baltimore discovered the enzyme responsible for reverse transcription in two RNA tumour viruses. Accordingly, Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) is an RNA retrovirus that is characterized by the presence of reverse transcriptase enzyme. This enzyme synthesizes DNA using RNA template through reverse transcription. Just after infection, RSV synthesizes DNA copies of its genome which then enter the nucleus of the cell. These viral DNA strands are randomly inserted throughout the DNA of the host's chromosomes. Now, the normal gene transcription within the nucleus produces an RSV mRNA which is transferred to the cytoplasm. Few copies of viral mRNA are translated into protein, using the machinery of the host cell while other becomes incorporated into new virus particles. The correct option is C.