Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

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 Polymerases

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

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 Polymerase

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Transcription Initiation

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 Transcription

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:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Utilization of computerized clinical decision support for potentially inappropriate medications.

Clinical interventions in aging·2019

Same author

Duration of symptoms and spread of colorectal cancer: a short history does not mean early disease.

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England·2002

Same author

Aromatic amino acids in region 2.3 of Escherichia coli sigma 70 participate collectively in the formation of an RNA polymerase-promoter open complex.

Journal of molecular biology·2000

Same author

Intragenic suppression of trans-dominant lethal substitutions in the conserved GEME motif of the beta subunit of RNA polymerase: evidence for functional cooperativity within the C-terminus.

Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms·1999

Same author

Trans-dominant mutations in the 3'-terminal region of the rpoB gene define highly conserved, essential residues in the beta subunit of RNA polymerase: the GEME motif.

Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms·1999

Same author

Function in vivo of separate segments of the beta subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.

Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms·1999

Same journal

Antifungal activity of rhein against Candida albicans with insights into its mechanism of action.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology·2026

Same journal

The calcium signal regulatory network and the roles of calcium-binding proteins in bacteria.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on germination, vegetative growth, sporulation, and pathogenicity of native Beauveria bassiana isolates and formulations against adult desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål).

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Mirubactin-like siderophore-Fe complex from Amycolatopsis lurida strain 407 is associated with improved plant Fe status and yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under in vitro conditions.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology·2026

Same journal

A non‑natural shortcut biosynthetic route enables de novo microbial production of 3‑hydroxyanthranilic and quinolinic acids.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Anti-bacterial effects of gallic acid-loaded graphene oxide nanocomposite (GAGO) against Vibrio spp., its potential mechanism of action and toxicity against Artemia nauplii.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 29, 2010

Bacterial RNA polymerases: structural and functional relationships.

R E Glass¹, R S Hayward

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, Nottingham, UK.

World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology

|January 15, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerases are crucial for gene expression and highly conserved. This review examines their structure, function, and evolution, focusing on bacterial enzymes and sigma-factors.

More Related Videos

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

Published on: August 26, 2012

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

Published on: June 2, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 4, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 29, 2010

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

Published on: August 26, 2012

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides

Published on: June 2, 2022

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

DNA-dependent RNA polymerases are essential enzymes involved in gene expression.
These multimeric enzymes are highly conserved across various life forms.
Understanding RNA polymerase structure and function is key to deciphering gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the structural conservation and functional roles of multimeric eubacterial RNA polymerases.
To highlight recent studies on the beta (β) core subunit and sigma (σ)-factors (σ70 and σ54 families).
To briefly discuss phage-encoded RNA polymerases and the evolution of RNA synthesis.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on RNA polymerase structure and function.
Comparative analysis of conserved structural elements in eubacterial RNA polymerases.
Examination of recent research on specific subunits (β) and regulatory factors (σ-factors).

Main Results:

Structural conservation of RNA polymerases reflects their fundamental role in gene expression.
The β core subunit and σ-factors play critical roles in transcription initiation and regulation.
Phage strategies involve encoding their own RNA polymerases or modifying host enzymes.

Conclusions:

The conserved structure of RNA polymerases is intrinsically linked to their essential function.
Detailed studies of bacterial RNA polymerases and their regulatory factors provide insights into broader biological principles.
Phage interactions with RNA polymerases offer unique perspectives on enzyme evolution and host-pathogen dynamics.