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Compare RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. RNA polymerase (RNAP or RNApol), also known as DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is an enzyme that produces primary transcript RNA. In cells, RNAP is necessary for constructing RNA chains using DNA genes as templates, a process called transcription.
RNA is synthesized by RNA polymerase that reads one strand of DNA. RNA polymerase reads DNA 3' to 5'. When RNA is made, it is made 5' to 3'. Most polymerases have the 3' to 5' reading activity. The created RNA strand is identical to the coding strand of DNA, which is also in the orientation of 5' to 3'.