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Related Concept Videos

Transcription Initiation01:47

Transcription Initiation

22.2K
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...
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Bacterial Transcription01:53

Bacterial Transcription

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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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Transcription in Prokaryotes01:28

Transcription in Prokaryotes

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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...
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Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

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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...
40.5K
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

8.7K
8.7K
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

33.9K
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...
33.9K

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Application of Biolayer Interferometry BLI for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription
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Initial events in bacterial transcription initiation.

Emily F Ruff1, M Thomas Record2, Irina Artsimovitch3,4

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave. Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. eruff@wisc.edu.

Biomolecules
|May 30, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) undergoes conformational changes during transcription initiation. DNA bending and opening are key regulated steps, influencing gene expression.

Keywords:
RNA polymerasekineticsmechanismpromotertranscription regulation

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Transcription initiation is a critical regulatory point in gene expression.
  • Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) binding to promoter DNA triggers significant conformational changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the conformational changes during bacterial transcription initiation.
  • To understand the regulatory mechanisms governing RNAP-DNA interactions and open complex formation.

Main Methods:

  • The study discusses the conformational dynamics of RNAP-DNA binding.
  • Analysis of DNA bending, wrapping, and opening within the RNAP active site.

Main Results:

  • RNAP binding induces DNA bending and wrapping, facilitating downstream duplex opening.
  • The rate-determining step involves forming an unstable open complex, stabilized by RNAP rearrangements.
  • Regulation occurs by modulating pre-opening steps and open complex stability.

Conclusions:

  • The noncovalent mechanism of transcription initiation involves regulated DNA opening and stabilization.
  • These processes share analogies with enzyme catalysis mechanisms.
  • Understanding RNAP conformational changes is crucial for gene expression regulation.