Transcription

This article revolves around the topic of transcription, the process of transcription and factors affecting transcription.

Introduction

Transcription can be defined as encrypting RNA sequence from the DNA in the form of protein molecules, which lead to the formation of messenger RNA, i.e., mRNA. The other segments of the DNA that are copied into the RNA are known as non-coding RNA, i.e., ncRNA.

On average, mRNA transcription in terms of quantity is much greater than the encryption of the non-coding RNA (ncRNA). DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids, and they use the base sequences of nucleotides as their complimentary language. During transcription, the DNA molecule forms a complementary RNA strand known as the primary transcript.

Transcription Definition

Transcription is the encryption process of RNA base sequences from the DNA strands, which complements the genetic information carried by the original DNA strand for a shorter period. The new processed mRNA strands can be considered as the blueprint of the original DNA base.

The transcription process occurs when the need for a particular gene arises at a certain period in a certain tissue. Usually, in the transcription process, only one strand of DNA is copied, which is known as the template DNA and leads to the formation of a singular messenger RNA strand known as the mRNA strand.

The gene’s transcription occurs in a small segment of the chromosome in the location of the gene. This process is carried out only when there is an active need for gene transcription in a tissue or a cell.

The smaller segments of the DNA are encrypted in the RNA by the enzymes known as RNA polymerase. As per the transcription procedure, the gene to be transcribed is identified, and then the segregation of the DNA occurs, paving the way for the formation of a transcribed RNA segment that contains the blueprint for the parent DNA.

Transcription Meaning in Biology

Transcription is when the mRNA sequence is copied from the DNA. DNA carries genetic information which is stored in the form of protein strands. Now, since the message from the DNA is copied into the RNA strand, the mRNA carries the same information but for a shorter period.

The transcription process is carried out by an enzyme known as RNA polymerase and by a variety of other additional proteins known as transcription factors. These transcription factors facilitate the process of formation of the RNA sequence by carrying the DNA material to the site of transcription.

The transcription factors of the RNA polymerase join together to form a complex commonly known as transcription initiation complex—it is the transcription initiation complex that facilitates the transcription of mRNA sequences from the parent DNA strand.

Procedures Occur in the Transcription of RNA Sequences from the DNA Strand

At first, the RNA sequence binds itself with the DNA strand, which facilitates the transcription process along with the transcription factors.

Then in the next procedure, the DNA strand gets divided due to the breaking of the hydrogen bonds between the complementary DNA strands. The RNA polymerase forms the transcription bubble, which leads to the breaking of the hydrogen bonds.

As the next step, the RNA polymerase combines the RNA nucleotides, which complement the original DNA sequence.

The addition of the RNA nucleotide leads to the formation of the sugar-phosphate backbone with the help of RNA polymerase, which further leads to the formation of RNA strands.

After forming the sugar-phosphate backbone, the hydrogen bond of the RNA-DNA breaks freeing the newly transcribed RNA sequence.

In case the cell has the presence of a nucleus, the transcription process might get further elongated.

The newly formed RNA strand may remain in the cell’s nucleus or free itself through the nuclear pore complex to the cytoplasm.

Characteristics of Transcription Factors

One of the most distinct characteristics of the transcription factor is that they can facilitate DNA-binding, which enables the DNA binding to specific sequences, also known as promoter sequences

Certain transcription factors bind themselves closer to the transcription site, which leads to the formation of the transcription initiation complex

Also, certain transcription factors bind themselves to the regular sequences, leading to the formation or breaking of the transcription sequence

The transcription factors ensure that every gene sequence holds a unique expression during the process of development and formation of the cell

Conclusion

Transcription is the segregation of the DNA sequence into an RNA strand that carries the same genetic sequence as the original DNA. The RNA sequence created in the transcription process carries messages from the same DNA sequence and is known as messenger RNA or mRNA.

The transcription process occurs when there is an optimum need for transcription in the gene in a certain specific cell or gene. The process of transcription allows the transfer of messages from one cell to another.