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Polymerase

A polymerase is an enzyme that assists in changes or production of RNA and DNA. Most frequently, a polymerase enables the duplication of new RNA or DNA from existing templates; in fact, this process is called polymerization. Though they can synthesize DNA, no polymerase can create a new chain, but instead must build onto an existing one. Polymerases have very conserved structures that vary little from species to species.

Thermus aquaticus, or Taq, is a polymerase used widely in molecular biology, partly because it is highly resistant to high temperatures. It comes from a microbe first discovered living in hot springs at America's Yellowstone National Park.

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TdT) is a valuable marker polymerase; it's only found in certain types of cells, particularly immature lymphocytes and cells associated with lymphoma and leukemia. This makes it a very good way of diagnosing leukemia.

Reverse transcriptase is a polymerase that enables RNA to be processed from DNA. Because of this quality, it is frequently used by researchers to create designer drugs and other cutting-edge medicines.

Web Resources On Polymerase

DNA Polymerase
DNA Polymerase Beta Movies

Book Resources On Polymerase

RNA Polymerase and Associated Factors by Adhya and Garges
Viral Polymerases & Related Proteins by Lawrence C. Kuo (Editor)

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