Recognition of the Promoter site by RNAPol


    The RNAPol molecule recognizes the beginning of a transcriptional unit of an mRNA as a short DNA sequence motif called a Promoter. The Promoter is approximately 10 bp 'upstream' [5' to] the start site of transcription on the template strand. The same or similar "- 10" motif sequence is found upstream of many genes, and acts as a signal for transcription.


    It is important to remember that the "start site" for RNA transcription from DNA is not the same as the "start codon" for Protein translation from mRNA.



Figure © 2000 by Griffiths et al. ; text © 2024 by Steven M. Carr