Difference between revisions of "RNA polymerase"
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| − | '''RNA polymerases''', often abbreviated to '''RNAP''', are the enzymes in a cell responsible for [[transcription|synthesizing]] strands of [[RNA]]. Because this function is essential to life, all organisms (and quite a few viruses) contain at least one type of RNA polymerase | + | '''RNA polymerases''', often abbreviated to '''RNAP''', are the enzymes in a cell responsible for [[transcription|synthesizing]] strands of [[RNA]]. Because this function is essential to life, all organisms (and quite a few viruses) contain at least one type of RNA polymerase. Depending on the RNA polymerase, transcription requires either a [[DNA]] or an RNA template; although in most contexts, "RNA polymerase" refers to the DNA-dependant RNA polymerases, which use a DNA template to [[transcribe|transcription]] genes into [[mRNA]] ("messenger" RNA). [[reverse transcriptase|Reverse transcriptases]] are enzymes (usually associated with [[retrovirus|retroviruses]]) that perform the opposite function, using an RNA template to synthesize a [[DNA]] product. |
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| + | ==Types== | ||
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| + | Most [[prokaryote|prokaryotes]] and [[archaea|archaeans]] use the same RNA polymerase to transcribe [[mRNA]] and functional non-coding RNAs (e.g. [[rRNA|ribosomal RNAs]] or [[tRNA|transfer RNAs]]. However, [[eukaryote|eukaryotes]] (organisms in which the genetic material is contained within a [[nucleus]]) use specialized RNAPs, each responsible for transcribing different classes of RNA. | ||
Revision as of 15:38, October 28, 2012
RNA polymerases, often abbreviated to RNAP, are the enzymes in a cell responsible for synthesizing strands of RNA. Because this function is essential to life, all organisms (and quite a few viruses) contain at least one type of RNA polymerase. Depending on the RNA polymerase, transcription requires either a DNA or an RNA template; although in most contexts, "RNA polymerase" refers to the DNA-dependant RNA polymerases, which use a DNA template to transcription genes into mRNA ("messenger" RNA). Reverse transcriptases are enzymes (usually associated with retroviruses) that perform the opposite function, using an RNA template to synthesize a DNA product.
Types
Most prokaryotes and archaeans use the same RNA polymerase to transcribe mRNA and functional non-coding RNAs (e.g. ribosomal RNAs or transfer RNAs. However, eukaryotes (organisms in which the genetic material is contained within a nucleus) use specialized RNAPs, each responsible for transcribing different classes of RNA.