Reverse transcriptase-like activity in Trypanosoma cruzi.

The use of specific synthetic RNA homopolymers as templates and short oligonucleotides as primers has allowed evidence of the existence of a reverse transcriptase-like activity in Trypanosoma cruzi, to be revealed. The RNA:DNA products derived from this reaction are of approximately 110 nucleotides in length. The enzyme has greater affinity for poly(rA)/ oligo(dT) templates than for poly(rC)/oligo(dG) having a 20 mM Mg+2 ion requirement. The detected reverse transcriptase-like activity is not affected by aphidicolin and ddTTP but is inhibited by actinomycin D. novobiocin, rifamycin SV and AZT.