RNA Polymerase Recruitment in Transcription

Transcription in eukaryotes begins when RNA polymerase is recruited to the promoter on DNA. In prokaryotes, RNA polymerase can bind the template DNA and start transcription on its own. In eukaryotes, extra proteins called transcription factors must bind first.

These transcription factors help bri...

For RNA Polymerase II, the most well-studied promoter is called the TATA box. It has a conserved DNA sequence, most commonly T-A-T-A-A-A, which is usually located 25 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site.

RNA polymerase II is guided to the promoter site by a set of proteins known as the general transcription factors, spec...