[ noun ] the enzyme that copies DNA into RNA <noun.substance>
The Boehringer and Merck drugs, however, both work against the reverse transcriptase enzyme in a manner that differs significantly from AZT, the only drug now approved for use against the virus.
AZT, or zidovudine, the only anti-viral drug approved for treatment of AIDS, works by blocking the action of reverse transcriptase.
The biotechnology company said it is producing a genetically engineered version of the substance, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, and supplying it to NIH researchers under the collaboration agreement.
But he cautioned that even if the test produces perfect crystals of reverse transcriptase, a new drug could still be 10 years away.