ThermoScript™ Reverse Transcriptase - FAQs

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4 product FAQs found

My mRNA has a high-GC content. Which reverse transcriptase do you recommend using?

We would recommend using SuperScript IV Reverse Transcriptase, which offers high thermostability and can be used in reactions at 50-65 degrees C to facilitate the successful transcription of challenging templates (high-GC content or extensive secondary structures).

How much of the first-strand cDNA reaction should I load for PCR?

While the volume is dependent on the starting amount of RNA used for the first-strand synthesis and the abundance of the target gene, we'd recommend starting with 10% of the first-strand reaction for your PCR reaction.

How can reverse transcriptases be inactivated?

The enzymes can be inactivated by adding a chelating agent such as EDTA. Alternatively, with the exception of ThermoScript RT and Thermo-X RT, the enzymes can be heat inactivated at 70 degrees C for 10 min.

ThermoScript RT should be heated to 85 degrees C for 5 min for complete inactivation.

For Thermo-X RT, if using an oligo(dT) primer, add EDTA to the reaction at a final concentration of 5 mM. Inactivate the reaction by heating at 90 degrees C for 5 min.

What is the highest temperature that MMLV, SuperScript II, SuperScript III, or SuperScript IV RTs can be used?

The optimal temperature for for MMLV is 42 degrees C. The optimal temperature for SuperScript II RT is 42 degrees C, and can be used up to 50 degrees C. The optimal temperature for SuperScript III RT is 50 degrees C, and can be used up to 55 degrees C. For some qRT-PCR reactions where gene-specific primers are used, you can do the RT reaction at 60 degrees C. The optimal temperature for SuperScript IV RT is 50 degrees C, but can be used up to 65 degrees C.