RNA SYNTHESIS: INITIATION, ELONGATION, TERMINATION OF RNA SYNTHESIS

Jayapriya K, Deepika S, Abitha A, Abinaya J, Akshaya V, Dr.Muralidharan M*

B.TECH. BIOTECHNOLOGY, Gnanamani College of Technology, Molecular Biology, Batch:2022-2026
*Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Gnanamani College of Technology

DEFINITION: Transcription is the essential biological process by which genetic information encoded in double-stranded DNA is transcribed into a single-stranded RNA molecule. This process is catalyzed by the enzyme RNA polymerase.
During transcription, the DNA strand that serves as the template is known as the template strand or antisense strand. This strand runs in the 3’ to 5’ direction, and it provides the sequence from which the RNA is synthesized in the 5’ to 3’
direction. The complementary DNA strand, which has a sequence identical to the RNA (except for the replacement of thymine with uracil), is called the coding strand or sense strand.

STAGES IN TRANSCRIPTION: EUKARYOTIC TRANSCRIPTION

TRANSCRIPTION Occurs in the nucleus. There
UNIT
PROMOTER TERMINATOR are three main types of RNA
5’ 3’ polymerases involved, each
3’ 5’ responsible for synthesizing
DNA
RNA Binding of RNA Polymerase different types of RNA.
Polymerase to the promoter region •RNA Polymerase I: most of rRNA, except for the 5S rRNA.
causes DNA unwinding •RNA Polymerase II: mRNA and RNA (snRNA).
5’ ’
3
3’ 5’ •RNA Polymerase III: tRNA , 5S rRNA.
UNWOUND RNA is synthesized by adding
DNA NTPs
the nucleotides complementary TERMINATION STAGE
CODING
to the DNA template General transcription factors and RNA
STRAND
5’ 3’ polymerase initiate transcription.
3’ 3’ 5’ 1. Initiation • TFIID binds to the TATA box.
5’ RNA polymerase synthesizes
TEMPLATE NTPs Promoter Recognition: Transcription starts when RNA polymerase binds to a specific DNA • TFIIA and TFIIB bind subsequently.
STRAND RNA by moving along the DNA sequence known as the promoter. In prokaryotes, RNA polymerase directly binds to the • The complex binds to RNA polymerase, with
template in the 5’ to 3’ direction promoter with the help of a sigma factor. In eukaryotes, a complex of transcription
TFIIF aiding RNA polymerase binding to DNA.
3’
5’
’
factors assists RNA polymerase II in locating the promoter. • Addition of TFIIE, TFIIJ, and TFIIH (which has
3’ ’
3 Elongation involves 5
5 ’ DNA Unwinding: The DNA double helix unwinds near the promoter, creating a helicase activity) completes the initiation
RNA
NTPs continuous reading of DNA transcription bubble that allows RNA polymerase to access the template strand. complex.
template and extension of • The initiation complex is activated by the ATP-
2. Elongation
5’ RNA molecule 3 ’
dependent phosphorylation of the C-terminal
3’
5 ’ RNA Synthesis: RNA polymerase travels along the DNA template strand, synthesizing RNA
3’
5’
domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II. This
by adding ribonucleotides complementary to the DNA template. The RNA strand grows in
Termination occurs when RNA phosphorylation, primarily mediated by TFIIH,
RNA the 5’ to 3’ direction.
POLYMERASE polymerase reaches a triggers a conformational change in RNA
5’ terminator sequence 3’ 3. Termination polymerase II, enabling it to start RNA
3’ 5’ Signal Detection and RNA Release: Transcription stops when RNA polymerase reaches a synthesis.
’
+ terminator sequence in prokaryotes or a polyadenylation signal in eukaryotes. The newly ELONGATION STAGE:
5 3’
RNA TRANSCRIPT synthesized RNA transcript is then released. • RNA polymerase II, with the help of elongation factors and carboxy-
RNA Processing (Eukaryotes): In eukaryotes, the initial RNA (pre-mRNA) undergoes terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation, synthesizes RNA while
processing, including capping, polyadenylation, and splicing, to form mature mRNA ready navigating chromatin. Eukaryotic DNA is packed in chromatin,
Three Stages: Initiation  Elongation  Termination for translation.
necessitating remodeling to enable transcription. The RNA undergoes
co-transcriptional processing, including 5’ capping, splicing, and
PROKARYOTIC TRANSCRIPTION TERMINATION STAGE: polyadenylation.
It occurs in the cytoplasm. A single RNA Rho independent termination TERMINATION STAGE:
• The newly formed RNA has GC rich
polymerase is used to synthesis all three • During termination, RNA polymerase II
types of RNA. sequence followed by poly U
sequence. transcribes a polyadenylation signal,
• GC rich sequence (inverted leading to RNA cleavage and the addition
sequence) form hairpin loop which of a poly(A) tail. The newly synthesized
pulls RNA chain and weak bond mRNA includes coding regions (exons) and
between A=U are broken and non-coding regions (introns).
released. • For the mRNA to be functional, introns
-35 box and -10 box (also called Pribnow
Rho dependent termination • Rho factors /proteins causes must be removed and modifications such
box) are consensus sequences.
disruption of RNA-DNA hybrid as a 5’ cap and 3’ poly-A tail are added. This
• Rho protein is a specialized process, known as splicing, is performed by
helicase, which recognizes a complex called the spliceosome, which
ELONGATION STAGE: terminator region in mRNA
The RNA polymerase slides along the template removes introns and joins exons to produce
sequence.
DNA strand (in the 3’-5’ direction). The a mature mRNA strand. The mature mRNA
• Rho protein releases newly
transcription elongation phase beings with the can then leave the nucleus and enter the
formed RNA.
release of the sigma subunit from the polymerase. cytoplasm for translation.