Fig. 2. Improved specificity of rTth RP-PCR for detection of minus-strand RNA. (A) Reverse transcription of RNA into cDNA is performed at 70°C in the presence of Mn2+. Because of the higher temperature, there is greatly reduced (a) self-priming, (b) random priming, or (c) false priming. Thus, there is very little nonspecific cDNA synthesized and transferred into the PCR reaction. This results in 1,000- to 10,000-fold specificity for detection of the minus-strand RNA. (B) Correct detection of minus-strand RNA. As in (A), reverse transcription of RNA into cDNA is performed at 70°C in the presence of Mn2+. The tagged HCV primer results in synthesis of a positive-strand cDNA. In the subsequent PCR reaction, the reverse-transcriptase activity of the rTth polymerase is eliminated by the addition of ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid and Mg2+ is added to activate the DNA polymerase activity. The positive-strand cDNA is now amplified by the tag primer (through its tag sequence) and the downstream HCV primer.

Site Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of our most commonly asked questions and our answers to them.
HCV Symptoms
You'll find links to a comprehensive symptoms list, as well as various studies and discussions about Hepatitis C symptoms.
Lab Tests
What they are and what they mean. Helps you interpret & understand all the various hepatitis lab tests likely to be encountered.
Hepatitis C Genotypes
Learn about Hepatitis C Genotypes and their variants.
Viral Load
Provides detailed information on how to analyze and interpret viral load numbers as well as a link to a convenient Viral Load Chart.
What is...?
Learn more about various Hepatitis C related topics, including HCV, Ascites, Biopsies, and much more.
HCV Medicines
Numerous links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of Ribavirin/Rebetron medicines.
Glossary
Commonly used medical terms and definitions.
Hepatitis C Doctors
A state-by-state and worldwide reference listing physicians who treat HCV, including an email link to submit your physician for inclusion.
Biopsy Info
A comprehensive resource of information relating to the liver biopsy.
Cirrhosis
Many discussions and analyses of cirrhosis, including causes, complications, pathology, symptoms, and much more.
Liver Cancer
Liver Cancer/Hepatocellular Carcinoma studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis.
Liver Disease Medicines
An exhaustive list of links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of the various drugs used to treat liver disease.
Hep-Central Email List
Sign up to learn about advances and breakthroughs in Hepatitis C research, including information about medical and complementary treatments.
HCV Links
Convenient links to other sites external to Hepatitis-Central.
-
HCV Transmission
Information about the transmission of Hepatitis C.
HCV Natural Remedies
A number of herbal products useful in the management of liver disease.
HCV Books
Recommended reading for those interested in hepatitis information.
Hepatitis C Forum
A Bulletin Board for discussions on hepatitis, treatments, etc.
Hepatitis C Activism
An easy way to get involved in urging our government to do more for Hepatitis C awareness and treatment research.

