Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Transcription Initiation01:47

Transcription Initiation

Initiation is the first step of transcription in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase (RNAP) can bind to the template DNA and start transcribing. On the other hand, transcription in eukaryotes requires additional proteins, called transcription factors, to first bind to the promoter region in the DNA template. This binding helps recruit the specific RNAP that can assemble on the DNA and start transcription.
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
Bacterial Transcription01:53

Bacterial Transcription

RNA polymerase (RNAP) carries out DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in both bacteria and eukaryotes. Bacteria do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. So, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, on the same DNA template.
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Transcription in Prokaryotes01:28

Transcription in Prokaryotes

Transcription is a highly regulated process that converts genetic information into RNA molecules. The transcription cycle is divided into three key stages: initiation, elongation, and termination, each driven by specific molecular mechanisms.Initiation of TranscriptionIn bacteria, transcription begins when the RNA polymerase core enzyme associates with a sigma factor to form a holoenzyme. For example, the E. coli sigma factor called σ70 forms a holoenzyme, which recognizes the -10 (Pribnow box)...
General Transcription Factors01:30

General Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Copy-back RNA synthesis by coronavirus polymerase requires helicase activity and is stimulated by remdesivir and molnupiravir.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Selective targeting of a histone-like silencer Sfx to the R6K conjugal transfer operon.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

The ω subunit stabilizes transcribing RNA polymerase to balance processivity and collision resolution.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Exploration of the structural and functional diversity in the metamorphic RfaH subfamily.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Selective targeting of a histone-like silencer Sfx to the R6K conjugal transfer operon.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Template switching by coronavirus polymerase requires helicase activity and is stimulated by remdesivir and molnupiravir.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

Post-initiation control by the initiation factor sigma.

Irina Artsimovitch1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. artsimovitch.1@osu.edu

Molecular Microbiology
|March 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial transcription relies on sigma subunits to guide RNA polymerase to promoters. Persistent interactions can cause stalled transcription complexes, which may play key regulatory roles in vivo.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling
10:59

Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling

Published on: May 19, 2014

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins
07:44

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

Published on: August 26, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling
10:59

Analysis of Translation Initiation During Stress Conditions by Polysome Profiling

Published on: May 19, 2014

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins
07:44

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

Published on: August 26, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacterial transcription initiation requires core RNA polymerase guided by sigma subunits.
  • Sigma subunits direct RNA polymerase to specific promoter DNA sequences.
  • Stable sigma-DNA interactions are crucial for promoter recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent data on the formation and roles of sigma-dependent stalled transcription complexes.
  • To highlight the regulatory significance of these complexes in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent experimental data and literature.
  • Analysis of in vivo transcription complex dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Sigma-dependent stalled transcription complexes form frequently in vivo.
  • Persistent sigma-DNA contacts can impede RNA polymerase promoter escape.
  • Stalled complexes can reduce transcription of affected genes.

Conclusions:

  • Sigma-dependent stalled transcription complexes are common in bacteria.
  • These complexes likely serve diverse and important regulatory functions in gene expression.