A single-stranded
DNA molecule with a
nucleotidesequence that is complementary to an
RNA molecule;
cDNA is formed by the action of the
enzyme reverse transcriptase on an
RNAtemplate. After conversion to the double-stranded form,
cDNA is used for molecular cloning or for
hybridization studies.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143
(Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992))
on page 150