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| Image: Genome Management Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory | |
DNA transcription is a process that involves the transcribing of genetic information from DNA to RNA. The transcribed DNA message is used to produce proteins. DNA is housed within the nucleus of our cells. It controls cellular activity by coding for the production of enzymes and proteins. The information in DNA is not directly converted into proteins, but must first be copied into RNA. This ensures that the information contained within the DNA does not become tainted.
There are three main steps to the process of DNA transcription.
- RNA polymerase binds to DNA.
- RNA polymerase transcribes a single strand of DNA into a single stranded RNA polymer called messenger RNA (mRNA).
- RNA polymerase releases the mRNA polymer and detaches from the DNA.
A single DNA sequence can be transcribed by many RNA polymerase molecules at once. As a result, proteins can be manufactured in large quantities. Once the mRNA polymer is created, it crosses the nuclear membrane into the cytoplasm of the cell. The molecule is then translated for protein construction.
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