Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase?

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) is an enzyme that copies one strand of RNA into another strand of RNA. It is a key enzyme in the replication of many viruses, including coronaviruses, and plays a role in the regulation of gene expression. RdRP is also involved in the production of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are small pieces of double-stranded RNA that can silence genes by targeting specific mRNA molecules.RdRP is a member of the family of enzymes known as polymerases, which are responsible for copying genetic material such as DNA and RNA during replication and transcription. Unlike other polymerases, RdRP does not use DNA as its template but relies on an existing single-stranded piece of viral or host cell RNA as its substrate. It then uses this substrate to create a complementary strand via base pairing between nucleotides on either side of the template strand. The newly formed complimentary strands can then be used to synthesize new viral particles or take part in gene silencing pathways through siRNA production.RdRP has been studied extensively since it was first discovered in 1959, with researchers focusing primarily on understanding how it functions and how it contributes to virus replication and gene expression regulation. Recently, researchers have begun to look at potential therapeutic applications for RdRP inhibitors that could be used to target coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 or other related viruses that cause severe respiratory diseases like MERS and SARS. The development of these inhibitors could provide new treatments for these diseases and potentially help reduce their spread throughout populations worldwide.