Cdna synthesis diagram

1. What is cDNA structure?
2. How to convert RNA into cDNA?
3. How is cDNA synthesised in a lab?

What is cDNA structure?

The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 2130 bp long (including the termination codon), flanked by a 31 bp long 5′ untranslated region and a 957 bp long 3′ untranslated region. The cDNA encodes a protein of 709 amino acids (Fig. 1). A polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) is located upstream of the poly(A) tail.

How to convert RNA into cDNA?

We use an enzyme called "reverse transcriptase" to create a complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence from the RNA fragment. This creates hybrid molecules that are a combination of RNA and cDNA.

How is cDNA synthesised in a lab?

Reverse transcriptases (RTs) use an RNA template and a short primer complementary to the 3' end of the RNA to direct the synthesis of the first strand cDNA, which can be used directly as a template for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).