polymerase

American  

[pol-uh-muh-reys, -reyz] / ˈpɒl ə məˌreɪs, -ˌreɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of a long-chain molecule by linking smaller molecular units, as nucleotides with nucleic acids.

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polymerase British  

/ pəˈlɪməreɪz /

noun

1. any enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of a polymer, esp the synthesis of DNA or RNA

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polymerase Scientific  

/ pə-lĭm′ə-rās′,pŏl′ə-mə-rās′ /

1. Any of various enzymes, such as DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase, or reverse transcriptase, that catalyze the formation of sequences of DNA or RNA using an existing strand of DNA or RNA as a template.

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Etymology

Origin of polymerase

First recorded in 1955–60; polymer + -ase

Example Sentences

This interaction blocks gene transcription and interferes with the activity of RNA polymerase or transcription factors.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2026

This binding inhibits gene transcription and the action of RNA polymerase or the binding of transcription factors.

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

According to testing records, the initial sample of store-bought raw milk carried high levels of the virus, and was found to have a polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold — or Ct — of roughly 25.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2024

However, in the current scenario, the emerging bovine H5N1 strain that has infected American dairy cattle has undergone a specific adaptation in an enzyme called polymerase.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2024

DNA replication requires many more proteins than just DNA polymerase to unfold the twisted double helix and to ensure that the genetic information is copied accurately.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee