Inhibitor of Transcription
Inhibitors of transcription are molecules or compounds that can interfere with the normal process of transcription. They reduces or preventes the synthesis of RNA from DNA. These inhibitors can have various mechanisms of action, such as blocking the activity of RNA polymerase or disrupting the binding of transcription factors to DNA. Some examples of transcription inhibitors includes:
- Streptolydigin: By attaching to the polymerase, it prevents the extension of nucleic acid chains, which halts the activity of RNA polymerase within the cell.
- Rifampicin (rifamycin): It is a medicine that fights tuberculosis. It prevents mitochondrial RNA polymerase from working by attaching to the beta subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase.
- Alpha amanitin: It is an isolated eukaryotic inhibitor from Amanita phalloides that prevents the start and elongation of RNA II polymerase.
- Cordycepin: It demonstrates the absence of the hydroxyl moiety at the 3′ position, which prevents RNA synthesis and transcription elongation.
- Actinomycin D: Antibiotic has antibacterial and anticancer properties. It prevents rRNA transcription.
Transcription of DNA
Transcription of DNA is a cellular process where the genetic information encoded in DNA is converted into RNA. It initiates with RNA polymerase binding to the DNA at a specific promoter region. Then, the enzyme unwinds the DNA and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand by following the DNA template. This process continues until a termination signal is reached, leading to the release of the newly formed RNA molecule, which carries the genetic code for protein synthesis.
Table of Content
- Transcription of DNA Definition
- What is Transcription?
- RNA Polymerase
- Stages of Transcription
- RNA Processing
- Inhibitor of Transcription
- Transcription termination