RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) (pronounced: R-N-A-dependent R-N-A polymerase), also known as RNA replicase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the replication of RNA from an RNA template. This is in contrast to a typical DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which catalyzes the transcription of RNA from a DNA template.

Etymology

The term "RNA-dependent RNA polymerase" is derived from the enzyme's function. "RNA-dependent" refers to the enzyme's requirement for an RNA template, and "RNA polymerase" refers to the enzyme's ability to catalyze the polymerization of RNA.

Function

RdRp is essential for the life cycle of RNA viruses that do not go through a DNA phase. In these viruses, RdRp binds to viral RNA and synthesizes a complementary strand, creating a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The dsRNA is then used as a template for synthesizing new viral RNA.

Related Terms

• RNA virus
• Enzyme
• DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
• Polymerization

See Also

• Reverse transcriptase
• Viral replication

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