RNA template-specific PCR: an improved method that dramatically reduces false positives in RT-PCR
Shuldiner, A.R.; Tanner, K.; Moore, C.A.; Roth, J.
Biotechniques 11(6): 760-763
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0736-6205 PMID: 1725598 Document Number: 374780
We report a novel modification of the reverse transcription PCR method, designated RNA template-specific PCR. With this approach, the 5' end of the first strand is tagged with a unique nucleotide sequence during reverse transcription that may then be exploited to amplify preferentially RNA-derived sequences. In our hands, RNA template-specific PCR retains the sensitivity of the traditional method, but greatly reduces the frequency of false positives, and virtually eliminates carryover contamination from PCR products amplified in previous experiments.