RNApólíméráz

RNApólíméráz, often abbreviated as RNAP, is a crucial enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template. This process is known as transcription. RNAP is found in all living organisms, from simple bacteria to complex eukaryotes, and plays a fundamental role in gene expression. There are different types of RNAP in eukaryotes, each specializing in transcribing specific classes of RNA, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA). In prokaryotes, a single type of RNAP is generally responsible for transcribing all RNA molecules.

The mechanism of transcription involves RNAP binding to a specific region of DNA called a promoter, which signals the start of a gene. It then unwinds the DNA double helix, exposing the template strand. RNAP moves along this template strand, reading the nucleotide sequence and catalyzing the formation of a complementary RNA molecule by adding free ribonucleotides. This newly synthesized RNA strand detaches from the DNA template and RNAP, and the DNA helix reforms. The resulting RNA molecule can then be translated into protein or perform other functional roles within the cell. The accuracy of RNA synthesis is critical, and RNAP possesses proofreading capabilities to minimize errors.