2: PCR Variants (MIDTERMS) Flashcards
Identify the PCR variant:
a process that involves a reverse transcriptase (RTase), an enzyme that uses RNA as the template to make complementary DNA (cDNA)
Reverse Transcription
For how long does Reverse Transcription last?
3-4 hours
T or F
Reverse Transcription-PCR is the same with RT-PCR COVID-19 swab test
F (COVID uses Real-Time PCR)
What enzyme does Reverse Transcription-PCR use?
Reverse Transcriptase
T or F
PCR can amplify both complementary DNA and RNA
F (PCR can only amplify DNA because the polymerase being used is DNA polymerase which can only detect a DNA sample)
What is the needed temperature to activate Reverse Transcriptase
37°C
What is the main mechanism of Reverse Transcription?
use RNA Template → complementary DNA
What are the 2 primers used in Reverse Transcriptase-PCR?
- Oligo (dT) primers
- Random Primers
Primers used in RT-PCR:
→ choosy
→ used when the template is messenger RNA
(mRNA)
→ anneal when the template contains a polyadenylated tail (poly-A tail) which is present in most eukaryotic RNA at the 3’
→ 18-base-long single stranded poly dT sequences
Oligo (dT) primers
Primers used in RT-PCR:
→ Can be random hexamers or random decamers
→ Used if RNA is degraded RNA or has no poly- A tail
→ Any RNA template is used
→ For prokaryotic RNA or degraded RNA
→ 6 or 10-base long single-stranded
oligonucleotides of random sequences
Random primers
Which primer for RT-PCR is used when template is messenger RNA (mRNA)
Oligo (dT) primers
Oligo (dT) primers only anneal to the template when there is the presence of?
polyadenylated tail (poly-A tail)
This primer for RT-PCR is 18-base-long single-stranded poly dT sequences
Oligo (dT) primers
Which primer for RT-PCR is used when RNA is degraded RNA or has no poly- A tail?
Random primers
This primer for RT-PCR is 6 or 10-base long single-stranded oligonucleotides of random sequences
Random primers
What are the 2 ways to perform Reverse Transcriptase PCR?
- One-step
- Two-step
A way to perform RT-PCR where the primers, reverse transcriptase, and standard PCR reagents (buffer magnesium, dNTPs) are all combined in an epender tube and placed in PCR machine
One-Step
Identify what way to perform RT-PCR:
Advantage: quicker, less prone to contamination
Disadvantage: If error occurs, process is repeated
One-Step
A way to perform RT-PCR that involves 2 tubes and 2 steps:
1st tube is where RNA is converted to cDNA while 2nd tube if getting aliquot of DNA and adding standard PCR reagents
Two-Step
IDENTIFY WHAT TUBE IS USED in Two-step way of performing RT-PCR:
RNA is converted to cDNA; only the
primer and reverse transcriptase is added
1st tube
IDENTIFY WHAT TUBE IS USED in Two-step way of performing RT-PCR:
Getting an aliquot of the cDNA then adding standard PCR reagents
2nd tube
Two-step way of performing RT-PCR:
T or F
In the 1st tube of two-step, dNTP, buffer, primer, and reverse transcriptase is added
F (only the PRIMER and REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE is added)
Identify what way to perform RT-PCR:
Advantage: more sensitive, easier to
troubleshoot, you already have a stock of cDNA
Disadvantage: prone to contamination
Two-Step
Identify the PCR variant:
→ Is a technique used to amplify multiple target sequences in a single PCR reaction using multiple primer sets.
→ This method is used to detect deletions, polymorphisms, mutations, etc.
→ This method is also used to detect different viral, bacterial, and other pathogens in a single tube.
→ consumes less time and effort in obtaining the results.
Multiplex PCR