Does telomerase use RNA polymerase?

Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, meaning an enzyme that can make DNA using RNA as a template. When the overhang is long enough, a matching strand can be made by the normal DNA replication machinery (that is, using an RNA primer and DNA polymerase), producing double-stranded DNA.

What is the function of RNA in telomerase?

Telomerase RNA is an essential core component of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzyme that syn- thesizes telomeric sequences onto chromosome ends. Telomerase copies a short template sequence within the RNA component onto chromosome ends to counterbalance telomere shortening that occurs during DNA replication.

Is telomerase a polymerase?

Telomerase is an RNA-directed DNA polymerase, or reverse transcriptase (17, 35), that uses its RNA component as a template for the addition of new telomeric sequences onto chromosome ends.

What is the difference between RNA polymerase II and III?

RNA polymerase II catalyzes the synthesis of precursors of the mRNA molecules and other snRNA and microRNA. RNA polymerase III is the enzyme that transcribes the DNA that results in the small subunit of rRNA and tRNA. This is the difference between RNA polymerase I, II and III.

How is telomerase used to elongate telomeres?

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase enzyme that carries its own RNA molecule (e.g., with the sequence 3′- C CC A A U CCC-5′ in Trypanosoma brucei) which is used as a template when it elongates telomeres. Telomerase is active in gametes and most cancer cells, but is normally absent from, or at very low levels in, most somatic cells .

Which is the largest type of RNA polymerase?

The size of the RNA polymerase ranges between 500 – 700 kDa. It is the largest type of eukaryotic RNA polymerase. What are the Similarities Between RNA Polymerase I II and III? RNA polymerase I, II and III are three types of eukaryotic RNA polymerases. All enzymes are complex, multi-subunit proteins. All enzymes are responsible for transcription.

Are there different types of RNA polymerase in prokaryotes?

It is a complex protein molecule composed of different subunits. Prokaryotes possess the single type of RNA polymerase (Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase). Eukaryotes contain several types of RNA polymerases (Eukaryotic RNA Polymerase). They are RNA Polymerase I, II, III, IV and V. Among them RNA polymerase I, II and III are the main types.