1.

What is the direction in which the transcript produced by RNA polymerase grows?(a) 3’->5’ direction on 3’->5’ strand(b) 5’->3’ direction on 5’->3’ strand(c) 3’->5’ direction on 5’->3’ strand(d) 5’->3’ direction on 3’->5’ strandI got this question in an interview for job.My question comes from Transcription in Prokaryotes : Initiation in division Gene Expression : Transcription Prokaryotes of Cytogenetics

Answer»

Correct option is (d) 5’->3’ DIRECTION on 3’->5’ strand

Easy explanation: In the process of RNA synthesis there is a short phase of hybrid DNA-RNA FORMATION. This is possible only when two strands are oppositely ORIENTED. As 3’-OH is necessary for adding new nucleotides, RNA is synthesized from 5’->3’ direction, so the template MUST be 3’->5’ oriented.



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