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

Transcription

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,...

Mechanical Protein Functions

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...

The Replisome

The Replisome

DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with...

Transcription Elongation Factors

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...

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Beyond AI-Driven Curve Fitting: Mechanistic Insight as the Cornerstone of Reliable Sensing and Accurate Fitting.

Small methods·2026

Same author

Redox- and Photo-Responsive Fe<sup>3+/2+</sup>-Cross-Linked Carboxymethyl Cellulose Methacrylate Dissipative Gels: Synthesis and Applications.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same author

Seven Models for Outer Surface-Only Functionalized Nanofluidic Systems.

ACS nano·2026

Same author

Site-specific post-translational modification detection by polar charged engineered MspA nanopores.

Chemical science·2026

Same author

Dual-Interface Nanopore Array Sensor Revealing the Synergistic Oscillations of Lactate Efflux in Cancer Cells.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026

Same author

Dictated cell adhesion and migration using microfluidic-controlled synthetic hydrogels exhibiting programmable viscoelasticities.

Journal of materials chemistry. B·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2025

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

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

Published on: December 29, 2021

Dynamic Transcription Machineries in Protocells.

Jiantong Dong¹, Fan Xia², Fujian Huang²

¹The Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|May 23, 2025

Summary

Researchers are engineering artificial cells with transcription machinery to mimic natural cellular processes. These synthetic systems offer insights into life

More Related Videos

Automated Robotic Liquid Handling Assembly of Modular DNA Devices

Automated Robotic Liquid Handling Assembly of Modular DNA Devices

Published on: December 1, 2017

The Encapsulation of Cell-free Transcription and Translation Machinery in Vesicles for the Construction of Cellular Mimics

The Encapsulation of Cell-free Transcription and Translation Machinery in Vesicles for the Construction of Cellular Mimics

Published on: October 21, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2025

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

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

Published on: December 29, 2021

Automated Robotic Liquid Handling Assembly of Modular DNA Devices

Automated Robotic Liquid Handling Assembly of Modular DNA Devices

Published on: December 1, 2017

The Encapsulation of Cell-free Transcription and Translation Machinery in Vesicles for the Construction of Cellular Mimics

The Encapsulation of Cell-free Transcription and Translation Machinery in Vesicles for the Construction of Cellular Mimics

Published on: October 21, 2013

Area of Science:

Systems Chemistry
Synthetic Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Transcription machineries regulate essential cellular processes like cell cycle, metabolism, and differentiation.
Cellular processes exhibit dynamic features such as amplification, bistability, and transient behavior.
Understanding and emulating these natural pathways is crucial for advancing synthetic biology and chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in creating artificial protocell assemblies loaded with transcription machinery.
To highlight stimuli-responsive transcription systems and their integration into various protocell designs.
To explore the potential applications of these engineered systems in catalysis and theranostics.

Main Methods:

Integration of transcription machineries into diverse protocell architectures (liposomes, microdroplets, proteinsomes, microcapsules).
Development of stimuli-responsive transcription systems triggered by light, redox agents, and template refiguration.
Construction of temporally modulated oscillatory transcription circuitries and transcription-guided DNA nanotube dynamics.
Demonstration of dynamic signaling and communication between protocell assemblies.

Main Results:

Successful integration of transcription machineries into various stimuli-responsive protocells.
Creation of oscillatory transcription circuitries and dynamic DNA nanostructures within protocells.
Exhibition of transcription-mediated diffusive signaling and communication between engineered protocell assemblies.
Mimicking of native cellular processes like motor filament formation and dissociation.

Conclusions:

Engineered protocell assemblies with transcription machinery represent a significant advancement in Systems Chemistry.
These systems provide a platform for studying the principles of life's evolution and developing novel applications.
Future research should focus on addressing challenges and expanding the practical applications of these biomimetic systems.