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8: Transcription

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    Although DNA is an excellent medium for the storage of information, the very characteristic that makes it so stable and inherently self-correcting - being double-stranded - also makes it unwieldy for using that genetic information to make cell components. Since the informational parts of the molecule (the nitrogenous bases) are locked inside the ladder, reading it requires the energetically expensive task of breaking all the hydrogen bonds holding the two strands together. To do so for every single copy of each protein needed by the cell would not only take a lot of energy, but a lot of time. Instead, there must be a mechanism to take the information from DNA once (or a few times), and then make many copies of a protein from that single piece of information. That mechanism is transcription.

    • 8.1: Introduction to Transcription
      This page outlines the transcription of DNA into RNA, essential for protein synthesis. RNA differs from DNA by using uracil instead of thymine. Promoters, unique DNA sequences, regulate gene expression frequency, with stronger promoters ensuring efficient RNA polymerase binding. The consensus sequence reflects promoter strength, typically characterized by high adenine and thymine content that aids DNA unwinding. Grasping transcription control is vital for understanding gene regulation.
    • 8.2: Prokaryotic Transcription
      This page covers the structure and function of RNA polymerase (RNAP) in E. coli, highlighting the multi-subunit holoenzyme crucial for transcription. It emphasizes the role of the σ subunit in promoter recognition and discusses antibiotic inhibition of RNA synthesis. Transcription involves DNA strand separation and RNA elongation, characterized by a high error rate but effective RNA production.
    • 8.3: Eukaryotic Transcription
      This page discusses the complexity of eukaryotic transcription compared to prokaryotic transcription, highlighting the roles of different RNA polymerases (I, II, III) in producing various RNA types. It describes the initiation process involving a multi-factor complex and the phosphorylation of RNA Polymerase II.
    • 8.4: Post-Transcriptional Processing of RNA
      This page covers post-transcriptional modifications of eukaryotic RNA, focusing on 5' capping, polyadenylation, and splicing. The 5' cap aids mRNA transport, while polyadenylation enhances stability. Splicing, mainly performed by the spliceosome, removes introns and joins exons, with alternative splicing allowing for diverse protein production based on splicing factors and tissue types, impacting gene function and regulation.

    Thumbnail: Simplified diagram of mRNA synthesis and processing. (CC BY 3.0 - unported ; Kelvinsong).

    This page titled 8: Transcription is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by E. V. Wong via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.