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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...
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)...
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,...
Transcription01:10

Transcription

Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing 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 the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque
11:41

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque

Published on: May 19, 2014

Transcription under torsion.

Jie Ma1, Lu Bai, Michelle D Wang

  • 1Department of Physics-Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals how RNA polymerase (RNAP) navigates supercoiled DNA. RNAP acts as a potent motor, managing torque to regulate transcription, even when stalled.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cells transcribe supercoiled DNA with constantly changing torsional states.
  • The mechanisms by which RNA polymerase (RNAP) handles DNA supercoiling are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how individual Escherichia coli RNAPs interact with and transcribe supercoiled DNA.
  • To quantify the torque generated and managed by RNAP during transcription.

Main Methods:

  • Direct measurement of individual Escherichia coli RNAPs transcribing supercoiled DNA.
  • Analysis of RNAP speed, pause frequency, and duration under varying torque conditions.

Main Results:

  • Resisting torque significantly slowed RNAP, increasing pause frequency and duration.

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque
11:41

Magnetic Tweezers for the Measurement of Twist and Torque

Published on: May 19, 2014

DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
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DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation

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  • RNAP generated a mean torque of 11 ± 4 piconewton-nanometers before stalling, sufficient for DNA melting.
  • Stalled RNAP could resume transcription upon torque relaxation, demonstrating resilience to fluctuations.

    • Conclusions:

    • RNAP functions as a potent torsional motor, capable of managing significant torque during transcription.
    • Dynamic DNA supercoiling is a critical regulator of transcription, with RNAP actively adapting to torsional stress.
    • These findings provide a quantitative framework for understanding transcription regulation by DNA supercoiling.