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Absence of reverse transcriptase activity in human diploid fibroblasts
A Srivastava1, R J Shmookler Reis, S Goldstein
1Department of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Geriatric Research Education, Little Rock.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Researchers investigated the reverse flow of genetic information in human cells. They found no evidence of reverse transcriptase activity, questioning its role in generating pseudogenes and other DNA elements.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The reverse flow of genetic information (RNA to DNA) is hypothesized to create pseudogenes, repetitive DNA, and circular DNA in eukaryotes.
- Understanding this process is key to explaining the origin of these genetic elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and activity of reverse transcriptase in cultured human cells.
- To determine if reverse transcriptase activity is involved in the generation of pseudogenes and other DNA structures.
Main Methods:
- Cultured human cell strains were utilized.
- Cells were treated with chemical and physical agents known to induce retroviruses.
- Assays were performed to detect reverse transcriptase-like activity.
Main Results:
- No detectable reverse transcriptase-like activity was observed in any of the tested human cell strains.
- Induction agents did not elicit the expected reverse transcriptase activity.
Conclusions:
- The study failed to detect reverse transcriptase activity in human cells, challenging the hypothesis that this mechanism generates pseudogenes and other DNA elements.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the formation of these genetic structures if not via reverse transcription.