The main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription are as follows:
- Location: Prokaryotic transcription takes place in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic transcription occurs in the nucleus.
- Transcriptional factors: Eukaryotic transcription requires transcriptional factors, which are proteins that help initiate the transcription process. In contrast, prokaryotic transcription does not require such factors.
- RNA polymerase: Prokaryotic RNA polymerase is a complex of five polypeptides, while eukaryotic RNA polymerase is a complex of 10-15 polypeptides.
- Promoter elements: Prokaryotes have three different promoter elements (-10, -35 promoters, and upstream elements), while eukaryotes have multiple promoter elements, such as the TATA box, initiator elements, downstream core promoter element, CAAT box, and the GC box.
- RNA processing: In prokaryotes, RNAs are released and processed in the cytoplasm, while in eukaryotes, RNAs are released and processed in the nucleus.
- Post-transcriptional modifications: Eukaryotic RNAs undergo post-transcriptional modifications, including capping, polyadenylation, and splicing. These events do not occur in prokaryotes.
- Transcription and translation: In prokaryotes, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, while in eukaryotes, the RNA is first transcribed and then translated in the cytoplasm.
Comparative Table: Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Transcription
The table below highlights the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription:
Feature | Prokaryotic Transcription | Eukaryotic Transcription |
---|---|---|
Location | Cytoplasm | Nucleus |
RNA Processing | Cytoplasm | Nucleus |
Transcription and Translation | Simultaneous | Separate |
RNA Polymerase | Complex of 5 polypeptides | Complex of 10-15 polypeptides |
RNA Capping | Absent | Present |
Promoters | Less variation | More variation |
Post-Transcriptional Modifications | Absent | Present |
mRNA Sequence | Polycistronic | Monocistronic |
Despite these differences, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription share some similarities, such as using RNA polymerase as a catalyst for RNA synthesis, with DNA functioning as a template for RNA production.
Read more
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Transcription
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Translation
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic mRNA
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Translation Initiation
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic RNA Polymerase
- Protein Synthesis in Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA
- Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Promoters
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA Replication
- Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Genome
- Gene Expression in Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
- Eukaryotic Cells vs Prokaryotic Cells
- Transcription vs Translation
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Ribosomes
- Replication vs Transcription
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Topoisomerase
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cell Division
- Genetic Material of Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
- DNA Replication vs Transcription