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Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase

 
Wikipedia: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase
deoxynucleotidyltransferase, terminal
Identifiers
Symbol DNTT
Entrez 1791
HUGO 2983
OMIM 187410
RefSeq NM_004088
UniProt P04053
Other data
EC number 2.7.7.31
Locus Chr. 10 q23-q24

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase, also known as TdT and terminal transferase, is a specialized DNA polymerase expressed in immature, pre-B, pre-T lymphoid cells, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma cells. TdT adds N-nucleotides to the variable, diversity, and joining exons during antibody gene recombination.

Contents

Function

TdT catalyses the addition of nucleotides to the 3' terminus of a DNA molecule. Unlike most DNA polymerases it does not require a template. The preferred substrate of this enzyme is a 3'-overhang, but it can also add nucleotides to blunt or recessed 3' ends. Cobalt is a necessary cofactor.

Uses

Terminal transferase has applications in molecular biology. It can be used in RACE to add nucleotides which can then be used as a template for a primer in subsequent PCR. It can also be used to add nucleotides labelled with radioactive isotopes, for example in the TUNEL assay (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling) for the demonstration of apoptosis (which is marked, in part, by fragmented DNA).

Also used in the immunofluorescence assay for the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Faber J, Kantarjian H, Roberts MW, Keating M, Freireich E, Albitar M (January 2000). "Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia". Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. 124 (1): 92–7. PMID 10629138. http://journals.allenpress.com/jrnlserv/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-9985&volume=124&page=92. 

External links


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