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Related Concept Videos

Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes02:42

Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes

Transcriptional attenuation occurs when RNA transcription is prematurely terminated due to the formation of a terminator mRNA hairpin structure.  Bacteria use these hairpins to regulate the transcription process and control the synthesis of several amino acids including histidine, lysine, threonine, and phenylalanine. Transcription attenuation takes place in the non-coding regions of mRNA.
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
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)...
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria01:29

Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
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:

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Genome-wide Surveillance of Transcription Errors in Eukaryotic Organisms
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Published on: September 13, 2018

Transcription attenuation in bacteria: theme and variations.

Magali Naville1, Daniel Gautheret

  • 1Institut de Génétique et de Microbiologie, Paris-Sud University, Bâtiment 400, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France.

Briefings in Functional Genomics & Proteomics
|August 5, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Attenuation is an efficient bacterial RNA-based gene regulation strategy. These systems, found in 5' untranslated regions, sense environmental signals to control transcription, offering evolutionary and biotechnological insights.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Attenuation is a common RNA-based regulatory mechanism in bacteria.
  • Attenuators are located in 5' untranslated regions, controlling transcription via Rho-independent terminators and signal-sensing RNA elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diversity and evolutionary significance of bacterial attenuation systems.
  • To highlight the biotechnological potential of attenuation mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bacterial attenuation.
  • Analysis of the structural and functional diversity of attenuator elements.
  • Examination of evolutionary patterns including horizontal gene transfer and duplication.

Main Results:

  • Attenuators exhibit diverse sensing capabilities for various environmental signals (metabolites, temperature, macromolecules).
  • Evidence suggests early emergence and widespread distribution of attenuators in bacteria.
  • Significant mobility and lability of attenuator systems observed through recent horizontal transfers and duplications.

Conclusions:

  • Attenuation is a versatile and ancient regulatory strategy in bacteria.
  • The dynamic nature of attenuators provides valuable insights into bacterial evolution.
  • Attenuator systems hold promise for future biotechnological applications.