RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes a new strand of RNA by copying an existing RNA molecule. This process is essential for the replication of certain viruses, such as coronaviruses and hepatitis C. Unlike human cells, which typically copy DNA into RNA, these viruses can directly use RNA as a template to produce more viral RNA. The enzyme reads the viral RNA template and assembles a complementary RNA strand, allowing the virus to reproduce and spread within the host. Understanding this enzyme is important for developing antiviral drugs that can block virus replication.