Transcription

Today were going to be learning about the first stage of protein synthesis, transcription.

Protein synthesis is the method by which the body takes DNA and uses that chemical recipe to
make important proteins needed in daily activities. The first stage, transcription, is the formation
of mRNA from DNA. Translation, the second step in this process, is the synthesis of a
polypeptide from this mRNA information.

Today well be focusing on the first stage in this process, transcription.

Transcription starts either within the nucleus or nucleoid region, depending on if the organism is
eukaryotic or prokaryotic, respectively.

To start, RNA polymerase splits the DNA molecule apart to expose the template strand, which
provides the pattern for the RNA molecule. The promoter is the DNA sequence that signals the
beginning of transcription.

Initiation is the first stage of transcription. The transcription initiation complex consists of the
unwinding RNA polymerase and some transcription factors, which allow RNA polymerase to
adhere to the DNA strand. This allows the process of transcription to begin.

Elongation is the second stage of transcription. RNA polymerase moves along the DNA double
helix, unwinding it and allowing nucleotide bases to be continually added to the 3 end of the
growing RNA molecule. One gene may be transcribed by multiple RNA molecules at the same
time, increasing the efficiency of this process. The DNA slowly reforms as the RNA strand
grows.

Termination is the third and final stage of transcription. This process has the most variation
between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotes, a DNA sequence known as a
terminator causes the RNA to disengage from the DNA sequence. The DNA them completely
reforms its double helix shape, and the mRNA sequence is free to move on to translation, the
next step of protein synthesis.
However, the process is a little bit more complicated in eukaryotes. A type of RNA polymerase
known as RNA Polymerase II codes for a polyadenylation signal, which is a string of RNA with
the nucleotides AAUAA. This allows pre-mRNA to form. However, this pre-mRNA, known as the
primary transcript, is not ready for translation yet, and must undergo RNA processing.

In RNA processing, the pre-mRNA is modified to be ready for translation. The 5 end of the
pre-mRNA strand receives a 5 cap, which is a modified form of a guanine nucleotide. The 3
end receives a poly-A tail, which is a long sequence of adenine nucleotides that may vary in
length. These two things help transport and protect the mRNA while also allowing it to attach to
ribosomes, which is necessary later in translation. The final step of RNA processing is RNA
splicing, which is when non-coding nucleotide sequences known as introns are cut out of the
pre-mRNA sequence. Some introns, known as ribozymes, can splice themselves. These introns
essentially act as enzymes. Alternative RNA splicing is essentially this same process, except
with different sections labeled as introns. This allows a gene to code for more than one protein.
Spliceosomes then help assemble the spliced RNA segments, finally forming mRNA that is
ready to undergo translation.

In bacteria, RNA processing does not occur. Prokaryotic genomes are typically much simpler
and smaller than the genomes of eukaryotes, with genes only being found on a singular
chromosome. The number of genes in these organisms is significantly smaller due to their lack
of complex structure. Also, the lack of a nucleus in prokaryotic cells allows transcription and
translation to occur simultaneously.

We hope this overview of transcription was helpful, and well see you next time.