What enzyme is responsible for reverse transcription of RNA to cDNA?

The enzyme responsible for reverse transcription of RNA to cDNA is reverse transcriptase. This enzyme catalyzes the process by which RNA serves as a template for the synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA). Reverse transcriptase is commonly found in retroviruses, where it enables the conversion of viral RNA into DNA, allowing the viral genome to integrate into the host's genome.

Reverse transcription is a crucial step in the lifecycle of retroviruses and is also utilized in various laboratory techniques, such as in the creation of cDNA libraries and quantitative PCR. This process allows researchers to convert RNA messages into stable DNA forms that can be easily amplified and studied.

Other enzymes mentioned, like RNA polymerase, are involved in synthesizing RNA from a DNA template; DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA from a DNA template; and ligase is used to join DNA fragments together. These functions are distinct from that of reverse transcriptase, solidifying its unique role in converting RNA into cDNA.