CDNA

Definition

cDNA, or complementary DNA, is a synthetic DNA molecule that is created from a mature messenger RNA (mRNA) template. It represents the protein-coding sequences of a gene, without the non-coding introns present in the original genomic DNA. cDNA is a valuable tool for studying gene expression and protein production in the context of 12.2 Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. cDNA is synthesized from mature mRNA molecules, which have had their non-coding introns removed through RNA splicing.
2. The creation of cDNA allows for the study of gene expression patterns and protein production without the interference of non-coding DNA sequences.
3. Reverse transcriptase is the enzyme used to convert mRNA into cDNA during the reverse transcription process.
4. cDNA libraries are collections of cDNA clones that represent the expressed genes of a particular cell or tissue type.
5. cDNA is widely used in techniques like gene cloning, microarray analysis, and RNA-seq to study and quantify gene expression.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and significance of cDNA in the context of 12.2 Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein.
  • In the context of 12.2 Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein, cDNA is a valuable tool for studying gene expression and protein production. By representing the protein-coding sequences of a gene, cDNA allows researchers to focus on the actively expressed portions of the genome, without the interference of non-coding DNA. This enables more accurate visualization and characterization of the molecules involved in gene expression, such as mRNA and the resulting proteins, which is a key focus of this chapter.
• Describe the process of reverse transcription and its role in the creation of cDNA.
  • Reverse transcription is the process by which mRNA is used as a template to synthesize a complementary DNA (cDNA) molecule. The enzyme reverse transcriptase catalyzes this reaction, converting the single-stranded mRNA into a double-stranded cDNA molecule. This process is crucial for the creation of cDNA, as it allows researchers to capture the expressed genetic information from a cell or tissue sample and use it for further analysis, such as gene cloning, microarray studies, and RNA-seq, which are all important techniques covered in 12.2 Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein.
• Analyze how the use of cDNA libraries can provide insights into the gene expression patterns of a particular cell or tissue type, and how this information can be applied to the topics discussed in 12.2 Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein.
  • cDNA libraries are collections of cDNA clones that represent the expressed genes of a specific cell or tissue type. By analyzing the composition of a cDNA library, researchers can gain valuable insights into the gene expression patterns of that particular sample. This information can then be applied to the topics covered in 12.2 Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein, such as understanding the relationship between gene expression and protein production, identifying differentially expressed genes in different cell types or conditions, and using techniques like microarray analysis and RNA-seq to visualize and quantify the transcriptome. The use of cDNA libraries is a powerful tool that enables a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression and cellular function, which is a central focus of this chapter.

Related terms

mRNA:

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a single-stranded RNA molecule that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosome, where it is used as a template for protein synthesis.

Reverse Transcription:

The process of synthesizing cDNA from an mRNA template using the enzyme reverse transcriptase.

Gene Expression:

The process by which the information encoded in a gene is used to direct the synthesis of a functional gene product, such as a protein.