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( Transcription (genetics))
This article is part of the series on As in DNA replication, RNA is synthesized in the 5' ? 3' direction (from the point of view of the growing RNA transcript). Only one of the two DNA strands is transcribed. This strand is called the template strand, because it provides the template for ordering the sequence of nucleotides in an RNA transcript. The other strand is called the coding strand, because its sequence is the same as the newly created RNA transcript (except for thymine being substituted for uracil). The DNA template strand is read 3' ? 5' by RNA polymerase and the new RNA strand is synthesized in the 5'? 3' direction. RNA polymerase binds to the 3' end of a gene (promoter) on the DNA template strand and travels toward the 5' end. Transcription is divided into 5 stages pre-initiation, initiation, promoter clearance, elongation and termination. Unlike DNA replication, transcription does not need a primer to start. RNA polymerase simply binds to the DNA and, along with other cofactors, unwinds the DNA to create an initiation bubble so that the RNA polymerase has access to the single-stranded DNA template. However, RNA Polymerase does require a promoter like sequence.
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Transcription (genetics) Subcategories
Transcription (genetics) Articles
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