Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
12:12
Analysis of Termination of Transcription Using BrUTP-strand-specific Transcription Run-on (TRO) Approach
Published on: March 12, 2017
Premature transcription termination modulates stochastic gene expression in bacteria
Shafagh Moradian1, Nida Ali1, Rahul Jagadeesan2
1School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Science Advances
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Bacterial transcription uses attenuation to control RNA bursts. This mechanism, alongside regulated initiation, creates distinct transcriptional strategies in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, impacting gene expression and cell cooperation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Bacteria regulate gene transcription via initiation control and premature termination (attenuation).
- Transcriptional regulation results in RNA bursts, characterized by size and frequency.
- The influence of attenuation on RNA burst dynamics is less understood than regulated initiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how attenuation shapes transcriptional burst dynamics in bacteria.
- To compare the roles of attenuation in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis tryptophan operons.
- To understand the adaptive significance of distinct transcriptional regulation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of the tryptophan operon in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.
- Investigating RNA burst dynamics (size and frequency) under varying conditions.
- Modeling transcriptional regulation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Attenuation modulates burst size and frequency in E. coli, leading to switch-like transcriptional changes.
- In B. subtilis, attenuation primarily affects burst size, causing gradual transcriptional shifts.
- Distinct regulatory architectures in E. coli and B. subtilis reflect adaptations to different environments (gut vs. soil).
- Tryptophan operon transcription is not cell-autonomous, with intercellular regulation observed.
Conclusions:
- Attenuation plays a crucial role in shaping bacterial transcriptional burst dynamics.
- Comparative analysis reveals adaptive strategies in transcriptional regulation between E. coli and B. subtilis.
- Intercellular communication influences bacterial transcriptional activity, promoting cooperation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:42Transcription 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...
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
01:28Transcription 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)...
01:53Bacterial 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:
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:
01:29Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria
The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
01:28Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization
Prokaryotic genomes exhibit a streamlined organization of coding and non-coding regions essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. While coding regions contain the genetic instructions for proteins or functional RNAs, non-coding regions regulate the precise transcription and translation of these genes.Coding Regions: Proteins and RNAsThe primary coding regions, known as structural genes, include sequences transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and ultimately translated into...
01:29Translational Regulation
Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...