Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase

Antigen Background

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is a DNA polymerase of 58 kD located in the cell nucleus which catalyzes the polymerization of deoxynucleotides at the 3' hydroxyl ends of oligo or polydeoxynucleotide initiators and functions without a template. TdT is reported to be expressed in primitive T and B lymphocytes of the normal thymus and bone marrow. The identification of TdT-positive cell populations in primary and secondary lymphoid organs during maturation of the immune system is one area of interest but it is the reported occurrence of high levels of enzyme activity in white blood cells and bone marrow in certain leukemias which is of particular interest.

Disclaimer

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.