RNA polymerase

The enzyme RNA polymerase or RNAP is a nucleotidyltransferase that polymerises ribonucleotides in accordance with the information present in DNA. RNA polymerase enzymes are essential and are found in all nucleated cells of all organisms.

Related Topics:
Enzyme - Nucleotidyltransferase - Polymerises - Ribonucleotide - DNA

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RNAP accomplishes de novo synthesis. It is able to do this because specific interactions with the initiating nucleotide hold RNAP rigidly in place, facilitating chemical attack on the incoming nucleotide. Such specific interactions explain why RNAP prefers to start transcripts with ATP (followed by GTP, UTP, and then CTP). In contrast to DNA polymerase, RNAP includes a helicase activity, therefore no separate enzyme is needed to unwind DNA.

Related Topics:
De novo - DNA polymerase - Helicase - DNA

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RNAP was discovered independently by Sam Weiss and Jerard Hurwitz in 1960.

Related Topics:
Sam Weiss - Jerard Hurwitz - 1960

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