Principles of Genetics - Transcription Initiation (BIOL 300)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the process of transcription initiation in genetics.

Transcription Initiation

The process where RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region and begins synthesizing RNA from the DNA template.

Sense Strand

Non-template

Coding

Message

+

Anti-Sense Strand

Template

Non-coding

Non-message

-

(Prokaryote) RNA-pol subunit: alpha

determine the DNA to be transcribed

(Prokaryote) RNA-pol subunit: beta

catalyze polymerization

(Prokaryote) RNA-pol subunit: beta prime

Bind and open DNA template

(Prokaryote) RNA-pol subunit: sigma

recognize the promoter for synthesis initiation

Central Dogma

The framework for understanding the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Prokaryotic Transcription

A simpler transcription process where a single RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA directly from DNA without the need for transcription factors.

Eukaryotic Transcription

A more complex process involving multiple RNA polymerases, transcription factors, and extensive regulatory elements.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Promoter

A DNA sequence that initiates transcription of a particular gene.

Enhancer

A DNA sequence that enhances the transcription of a gene, often located far from the promoter.

Holoenzyme

The active form of RNA polymerase that consists of the core enzyme plus 5 additional factors necessary for function. alpha2BB’wsigma

Sigma Factors

Proteins that bind to RNA polymerase and direct it to specific promoters in prokaryotic cells.

Consensus Sequence

the calculated order of most frequent residues found at each position in a sequence alignment; the nts are known

Conserved Sequence

similar sequences which occur in DNA . These sequences occur across species

Cis-acting elements

DNA sequences located on the same molecule of DNA that regulate the transcription of neighboring genes.

Trans-acting factors

Proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to cis-acting elements.

TATA Box

A conserved sequence in eukaryotic promoters that is critical for the initiation of transcription.

Rho-dependent termination

A mechanism of transcription termination in prokaryotes requiring the Rho protein.

Rho-independent termination

A mechanism of transcription termination in prokaryotes that relies on the formation of a hairpin loop in the RNA.

Introns

Non-coding sequences in a gene that are removed during RNA processing.

Exons

Coding sequences in a gene that are retained in the final mRNA after processing.

RNA Pol I

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing rRNA in eukaryotic cells.

RNA Pol II

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA in eukaryotic cells.

RNA Pol III

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing tRNA and other types of RNA in eukaryotic cells.

Transcription factors

Proteins that help regulate the expression of genes by binding to nearby DNA.