Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
12:12
Analysis of Termination of Transcription Using BrUTP-strand-specific Transcription Run-on (TRO) Approach
Published on: March 12, 2017
Terminating transcription in eukaryotes: lessons learned from RNA polymerase I
1Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. rreeder@fhcrc.org
Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|January 20, 1998
Summary
Transcription terminator proteins for RNA polymerase I (pol I) are now available, enabling in vitro studies of termination mechanisms. This review summarizes recent findings on how pol I transcription terminates in vivo and in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Genes for transcription terminator proteins of RNA polymerase I (pol I) have been identified in various species, including yeast and mammals.
- The cloning of these terminator proteins has facilitated the development of in vitro transcription systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent advancements in understanding RNA polymerase I termination mechanisms.
- To review the utility of newly developed in vitro systems for studying pol I termination.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of genes encoding transcription terminator proteins.
- Construction of in vitro transcription systems utilizing these proteins.
- Comparison of in vitro termination sites with in vivo observed sites.
Main Results:
- In vitro transcription systems accurately replicate in vivo pol I termination sites.
- Significant new information has been generated regarding the mechanisms of pol I termination.
- The availability of terminator proteins has spurred research into termination processes.
Conclusions:
- In vitro systems are powerful tools for dissecting RNA polymerase I termination.
- Recent research has significantly advanced the understanding of pol I termination mechanisms.
- Further studies are warranted to fully elucidate the intricacies of pol I termination.
Related Concept Videos
00:58Eukaryotic 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...
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
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...
01:53Bacterial 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:
01:47Transcription 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...
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
00:58Eukaryotic 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...
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
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)...