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Related Concept Videos

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
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...
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...
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...

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

Published on: May 13, 2019

Archaeal RNA polymerase.

Akira Hirata1, Katsuhiko S Murakami

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|November 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Structural insights into archaeal RNA polymerase (RNAP) reveal its potential as a model for eukaryotic transcription. This research illuminates the functional roles of Fe-S clusters and DNA unwinding mechanisms in transcription.

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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

Direct Restart of a Replication Fork Stalled by a Head-On RNA Polymerase
07:27

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Published on: April 29, 2010

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

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Published on: August 26, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • X-ray crystal structures of archaeal RNA polymerase (RNAP) have been solved.
  • Archaeal transcription shares significant similarities with eukaryotic transcription.
  • RNAP and transcription factors are highly conserved across archaea and eukaryotes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To enable structural comparison of transcription machinery across all domains of life.
  • To establish archaeal transcription as a model for dissecting eukaryotic transcription.
  • To investigate the functional role of Fe-S clusters in archaeal and eukaryotic transcription.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Structural comparison
  • Comparative modeling

Main Results:

  • Detailed structures of archaeal RNAP provide a framework for functional analysis.
  • High conservation suggests archaea as a model for eukaryotic transcription.
  • Identified key motifs in archaeal RNAP involved in DNA unwinding during open complex formation.

Conclusions:

  • Archaeal RNAP structures offer a simplified model for understanding eukaryotic transcription.
  • Fe-S clusters' functional roles in transcription can be elucidated using archaeal models.
  • Structural insights facilitate understanding of transcription initiation mechanisms, including DNA unwinding.