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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:
The Eukaryotic Promoter Region02:40

The Eukaryotic Promoter Region

The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences.  The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions are...
The Eukaryotic Promoter Region02:40

The Eukaryotic Promoter Region

The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences.  The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 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

Initiation complex structure and promoter proofreading.

Xin Liu1, David A Bushnell, Daniel-Adriano Silva

  • 1Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 30, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

RNA polymerase II transcription involves distinct structural states during initiation. These transitions regulate abortive initiation and promoter escape, acting as crucial checkpoints for gene expression control.

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Last Updated: May 30, 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

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins
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High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

Published on: August 26, 2012

Proofreading and DNA Repair Assay Using Single Nucleotide Extension and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Analysis
11:08

Proofreading and DNA Repair Assay Using Single Nucleotide Extension and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: June 19, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II is a complex, multi-step process.
  • Understanding the structural dynamics of RNA polymerase II during early transcription is crucial for deciphering gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural transitions of RNA polymerase II during transcription initiation.
  • To correlate these structural states with the frequency of abortive initiation and promoter escape.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structures of transcription complexes with short RNAs (2-10 nucleotides).
  • Analysis of three distinct structural states based on RNA length and conformation.

Main Results:

  • Three structural states of RNA polymerase II were identified during short RNA synthesis.
  • Transitions between states correlate with reduced abortive initiation and eventual promoter escape.
  • Polymerase structure facilitates abortive initiation, acting as a promoter proofreading mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • Structural transitions serve as checkpoints for promoter control during transcription initiation.
  • Abortive initiation and structural changes contribute to promoter specificity and efficiency.