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Related Concept Videos

Transcription Elongation Factors02:35

Transcription Elongation Factors

Transcription elongation is a dynamic process that alters depending upon the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed. Hence, it is not surprising that the elongation complex's composition also varies along the way while transcribing a gene.
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA into a...
Transcription Elongation Factors02:35

Transcription Elongation Factors

Transcription elongation is a dynamic process that alters depending upon the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed. Hence, it is not surprising that the elongation complex's composition also varies along the way while transcribing a gene.
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA into a...
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:
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)...
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...
Transcription01:17

Transcription

Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in correctly synthesizing messenger RNA (mRNA). Transcriptional regulation is responsible for the differentiation of different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds of RNA Molecules
In eukaryotes,...

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Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
10:59

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events

Published on: May 13, 2019

Single molecule transcription elongation.

Eric A Galburt1, Stephan W Grill, Carlos Bustamante

  • 1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzerstrasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany. egalburt@biochem.wustl.edu

Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|May 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Single molecule optical trapping precisely measured the dynamics of RNA polymerase II transcription elongation in yeast. This technique allows observation of molecular processes under force, revealing crucial details about enzyme function.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Single-molecule optical trapping is a powerful technique for studying macromolecular systems.
  • It allows observation of dynamic processes, distribution analysis, and force application.
  • Previous studies have applied this method to DNA, RNA, and various enzymes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply single molecule optical trapping to investigate transcription elongation dynamics.
  • To study the function of RNA polymerase II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the single-molecule level.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing single molecule optical trapping assays.
  • Monitoring the response of RNA polymerase II to applied force over time.
  • Analyzing the dynamics of transcription elongation.

Main Results:

  • Detailed observation of transcription elongation by yeast RNA polymerase II.
  • Quantification of dynamic, unsynchronized molecular processes.
  • Assessment of enzyme response under applied force.

Conclusions:

  • Single molecule optical trapping provides valuable insights into the dynamics of transcription elongation.
  • This technique is effective for studying complex molecular machinery like RNA polymerase II.
  • Further applications in understanding enzyme mechanisms are promising.