polymerase
noun[U]
biology,chemistryspecializeduk/ˈpɒl.ɪ.mər.eɪs/us/ˈpɑː.lɪ.mə.reɪz/anenzyme(= achemicalsubstanceproducedbylivingcells)thatcausestheproductionof apolymer(= achemicalsubstanceconsisting oflargemoleculesmade from manysmallerandsimplermolecules):
Tocarryoutitsinstructions,RNAmust bedecodedby anenzymecalled polymerase.
See also
polymerase chain reaction
- Thetechniqueuses theenzymeDNApolymerase tocopyselectedsequencesover a milliontimes.
- ItinterruptsDNAsynthesisandfunctionbyinhibitingDNApolymerase andincorporatinginto theDNAorRNAof thecell.
- TheyattackHBV polymerase, anenzymeessentialto thereproductionof thehepatitisBvirusinside aninfectedcell.