Transcription is the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template where the code in the DNA is converted into a complementary RNA code. Translation is the synthesis of a protein from an mRNA template where the code in the mRNA is converted into an amino acid sequence in a protein.
| Transcription | Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | The purpose of transcription is to make RNA copies of individual genes that the cell can use in the biochemistry. | The purpose of translation is to synthesize proteins, which are used for millions of cellular functions. |
| Definition | Uses the genes as templates to produce several functional forms of RNA | Translation is the synthesis of a protein from an mRNA template. This is the second step of gene expression. Uses rRNA as assembly plant; and tRNA as the translator to produce a protein. |
| Products | mRNA, tRNA, rRNA and non-coding RNA( like microRNA) | Proteins |
| Product processing | A 5’ cap is added, a 3’ poly A tail is added and introns are spliced out. | A number of post-translational modifications occur including phosphorylation, SUMOylation, disulfide bridges and farnesylation. |
| Location | Nucleus | Cytoplasm |
| Initiation | Occurs when RNA polymerase protein binds to the promoter in DNA and forms a transcription initiation complex. Promoter directs the exact location for the initiation of transcription. | Occurs when ribosome subunits, initiation factors and t-RNA bind the mRNA near the AUG start codon. |
| Termination | RNA transcript is released and polymerase detaches from DNA. DNA rewinds itself into a double-helix and is unaltered throughout this process. | When the ribosome encounters one of the three stop codons it disassembles the ribosome and releases the polypeptide. |
| Elongation | RNA polymerase elongates in the 5' --> 3' direction | The incoming aminoacyl t-RNA binds to the codon at A-site and a peptide bond is formed between new amino acid and growing chain. Peptide then moves one codon position to get ready for the next amino acid. It then proceeds in a 5' to 3’ direction. |
| Antibiotics | Transcription is inhibited by rifampicin and 8-Hydroxyquinoline. | Translation is inhibited by anisomycin, cycloheximide, chloramphenicol, tetracyclin, streptomycin, erythromycin and puromycin. |
| Localization | Found in prokaryotes' cytoplasm and in a eukaryote's nucleus | Found in prokaryotes' cytoplasm and in eukaryotes' ribosomes on endoplasmic reticulum |
In prokaryotes both transcription and translation occur in the cytoplasm due to the absence of nucleus. In eukaryote transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in ribosomes present on the rough endoplasmic membrane in the cytoplasm.
Transcription is performed by RNA polymerase and other associated proteins termed as transcription factors. It can be inducible as seen in the spatio-temporal regulation of developmental genes or consitutive as seen in case of house keeping genes like Gapdh.
Translation is performed by a multi-subunit structure called ribosome which consists of rRNA and proteins.
Transcription initiates with RNA polymerase binding to the promoter region in the DNA. The transcription factors and RNA polymerase binding to the promoter forms a transcription initiation complex. The promoter consists of a core region like the TATA box where the complex binds. It is in this stage that RNA polymerase unwinds the DNA.
Translation initiates with the formation of initiation complex. The ribosome subunit, three initiation factors (IF1, IF2 and IF3) and methionine carrying t-RNA bind the mRNA near the AUG start codon.
During transcription, the RNA polymerase after the initial abortive attempts traverses the template strand of DNA in 3’ to 5’ direction, producing a complementary RNA strand in 5’ to 3’ direction. As the RNA polymerase advances the DNA strand that has been transcribed rewinds to form a double helix.
During translation the incoming aminoacyl t-RNA binds to the codon (sequences of 3 nucleotides) at A-site and a peptide bond is formed between the new amino acid and the growing chain. The peptide then moves one codon position to get ready for the next amino acid. The process hence proceeds in a 5’ to 3’ direction.
Transcription termination in prokaryotes can either be Rho-independent, where a GC rich hairpin loop is formed or Rho-dependent, where a protein factor Rho destabilizes the DNA-RNA interaction. In eukaryotes when a termination sequence is encountered the RNA nascent transcript is released and it is poly-adenylated.
In translation when the ribosome encounters one of the three stop codons it disassembles the ribosome and releases the polypeptide.
The end product of transcription is an RNA transcript which can form any of the following types of RNA: mRNA, tRNA, rRNA and non-coding RNA (like microRNA). Usually in prokaryotes the mRNA formed is polycistronic and in eukaryotes it is monocistronic.
The end product of translation is a polypeptide chain which folds and undergoes post translational modifications to form a functional protein.
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During post transcriptional modification in eukaryotes, a 5’ cap, a 3’ poly tail is added and introns are spliced out. In prokaryotes this process is absent.
A number of post-translational modifications occur including phosphorylation, SUMOylation, disulfide bridges formation, farnesylation etc.
Transcription is inhibited by rifampicin (antibacterial) and 8-Hydroxyquinoline (antifungal).
Translation is inhibited by anisomycin, cycloheximide, chloramphenicol, tetracyclin, streptomycin, erythromycin and puromycin.
For Transcription, RT-PCR, DNA microarray, In-situ hybridization, Northern blot, RNA-Seq is quite often used for measurement and detection. For Translation, western blotting, immunoblotting, enzyme assay, Protein sequencing, Metabolic labeling, proteomics is used for measurement and detection.
Crick’s central dogma: DNA ---> Transcription ---> RNA ---> Translation ---> Protein
Genetic code used during translation:
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