Question

Formation of an RNA hairpin cannot be the sole factor in the termination of transcription in prokaryotes. Explain why.

Answer 1

Answer:

As the transcription process proceeds, a variety of secondary structures forms by the nascent RNA. t takes place due to the fact that portions of the transcript as complementary base pairs form.

The transcript could be pause but terminate, the hairpin loop causes RNA Pol to pause. There are two different ways to terminate transcription in prokaryotes

- intrinsic termination: in this no external factors required

- Rho protein termination: binds to end of msg and moves along by ATP hydrolysis to catch up (rho is faster)