Prokaryotes
- RNA polymerase binds directly to the +1 site without the help of any transcription factors or a transcription initiation complex.
- Only one RNA polymerase is used to transcribe RNA.
- There is no post-transcriptional modification processes involved in prokaryotic transcription.
- All of the promoters from template DNA on prokaryotes have the same core elements.
- The sigma subunit of the RNA polymerase dictates the end of the initiation stage and the beginning of the elongation stage.
- Prokaryotic RNA polymerase is inhibited by the antibiotic rifampicin.
- The TATA box is located at the -10 site.
- The processes of transcription and translation occur almost simultaneously in prokaryotes.
- Prokaryotic mRNAs are often polycistronic, where more than one gene is encoded at a time.
Eukaryotes
- RNA binds to transcriptional factor II-F and is associated to the +1 site by the help of TFIID, TFIIA, and TFIIB.
- Three RNA polymerases are used to transcribe different types of RNA.
- A 5' cap and a 3' poly-A tail along with alternative splicing are modifications performed on eukaryotic RNA products.
- There are three genera but variable types of promoter elements on eukaryotic template DNA.
- The binding of TFIIH to the transcriptional initiation complex and the phosphorylation of the CTD signals the beginning of the elongation stage.
- Eukaryotic RNA polymerase is inhibited by the toxin alpha-amanitin.
- The TATA box is located between the -30 to -100 site.
- Transcription occurs in the nucleus and is post-transcriptionally modified, and then translation takes place in the cytoplasm.
- Eukaryotic mRNAs are often monocystronic, where only one gene is encoded at a time.
These buttons turn the spin of the RNA polymerase II on and off.
Prokaryotic Commands
This button shows the prokaryotic RNA polymerase in a "ball and stick" orientation.
This button shows the different subunits of the RNA polymerase in different colors:
Red = Alpha chains, Blue = Beta chain, Green = Beta' chain
PDB ID: 2GHO.pdb
Eukaryotic Commands
This button shows the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II in a "ball and stick" orientation.
This button shows the different subunits of the RNA polymerase II in different colors:
Green = Rpb1, Blue = Rpb2, Red = Rpb3, Pink = Rpb4, Brown = Rpb5, Yellow = Rpb6, Purple = Rpb7, Orange = Rpb8, Silver = Rpb9, Gold = Rpb10, Red = Rpb11, White = Rpb12
PDB ID: 1NIK.pdb
Eukaryotic
Rpb3-Rpb11 Heterodimer
Rpb2
Rpb1
TFIID, TFIIB, TFIIF, TFIIE, and TFIIH