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RNA-dependent RNA polymerases(RdRp)are one ofthe most versatile enzymes of RNA viruses that are vital for genome replication as well as for carrying out transcription. They have such a name due to their function where they use RNA template to synthesize mRNA which will later be translated into proteins and spread virus among the host. The core structural features of these polymerases are conserved, however, there is some divergence among their sequences. The structure of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerases resembles a cupped right hand which also consists of fingers, palm and thumb subdomains. In most cases catalysis involves several conserved aspartate residues together with .

These RdRps are such a great target for antiviral drugs because they are in charge of viral genome replication as well as viral genome transcription, meaning these proteins allow viruses to grow in number and spread to other cells or parts of the body. Therefore,if there are drugs that target these enzymes, viruses would not be able to survive inside a host. The Oral polio vaccine develops immunity in the person’s gut which then protects the person from the virus. And the inactivated polio vaccine is an injectable weakened version of the virus which teaches the body how to fight against this disease and builds protection in in the blood and helps boost immunity.\

Polio or poliomyelitis is a disabling and life-threatening diseased caused by the poliovirus. This virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, resulting in paralysis. Most people that get infected with the poliovirus will not develop any visible symptoms. However, about one in four people with poliovirus infection will have flu-like symptoms that include: sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, and stomach pain. These symptoms usually last from two to five days before disappearing. A smaller fraction of people infected with virus will develop more serious symptoms that affect the brain and spinal cord such as: paresthesia, meningitis, and paralysis. This last symptom is the most associated with polio because it can lead to permanent disability and death. Between 2 and 10% of people who develop paralysis will die because the virus affects the diaphragm and other muscles that aid in respiration. Even young children who seem to completely recover from this virus can develop muscle pain or weakness and paralysis as adults, usually 15 to 40 years later. This is called post-polio syndrome.

The poliovirus comes in three different serotypes: poliovirus 1 (PV1), poliovirus 2 (PV2), or poliovirus 3 (PV3). These viruses are non-enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA.

The U.S has been polio-free since 1979, poliovirus 2 was eradicated globally in 1999, and there has not been a case of poliovirus 3 since 2012. However, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) poliovirus 1 only affects two countries as of 2020, Pakistan and Afghanistan. There is a vaccine for this virus called the Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), for best protection children should get four doses of this vaccine.

The is a 53kDa polymerase which together with other host proteins carries out viral RNA replication on the host cell cytoplasm. The poliovirus RdRp’s shape is common to that of other polymerases, with a palm subdomain which contains a core structure very similar to other polymerases, and different structures of the fingers and thumb from those of other polymerases.