RNA polymerase

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that synthesizes the formation of RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

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RNA polymerase Scientific  

1. A polymerase that catalyzes the synthesis of a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template, or, in some viruses, from an RNA template.

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Etymology

Origin of RNA polymerase

First recorded in 1960–65

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How does rna-polymerase compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• DNA vs. RNA polymerase

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

RNA polymerase

The 3D portion acts as an RNA polymerase, an enzyme that copies viral RNA so the virus can reproduce.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2026

RNA polymerase II, also called Pol II, is the enzyme responsible for transcribing protein-coding genes in eukaryotic cells.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 1, 2025

"Serratus identifies RNA viruses from public data by flagging an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which facilitates replication of viral RNA. This enzyme allows the virus to reproduce itself and for the infection to spread."

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2024

It has more subunits than its ancestor, the bacterial RNA polymerase, and is even bigger than human RNA polymerases.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2024

The RNA polymerase complex comprises 21 subunits encoded in the two genomes, nuclear and chloroplast.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2024