Viral Nucleoside Polymerase (Viral Pol)

Viral nucleoside polymerases are essential enzymes encoded by viruses that catalyze the synthesis of viral nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) using nucleoside triphosphates as substrates. These polymerases are central to viral genome replication and transcription, enabling the virus to reproduce within host cells. They differ from host cell polymerases in their structure, function, and mechanisms of initiation, and are major targets for antiviral drug development.

Other names

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)DNA-dependent DNA polymeraseReverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase)Viral RNA polymeraseViral DNA polymerase

Incorporation of nucleoside analogs into nascent viral genomes, leading to chain termination or inhibition of further elongation.