What is the Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Transcription?

The main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription are as follows:

1. Location: Prokaryotic transcription takes place in the cytoplasm, while eukaryotic transcription occurs in the nucleus.
2. Transcriptional factors: Eukaryotic transcription requires transcriptional factors, which are proteins that help initiate the transcription process. In contrast, prokaryotic transcription does not require such factors.
3. RNA polymerase: Prokaryotic RNA polymerase is a complex of five polypeptides, while eukaryotic RNA polymerase is a complex of 10-15 polypeptides.
4. Promoter elements: Prokaryotes have three different promoter elements (-10, -35 promoters, and upstream elements), while eukaryotes have multiple promoter elements, such as the TATA box, initiator elements, downstream core promoter element, CAAT box, and the GC box.
5. RNA processing: In prokaryotes, RNAs are released and processed in the cytoplasm, while in eukaryotes, RNAs are released and processed in the nucleus.
6. Post-transcriptional modifications: Eukaryotic RNAs undergo post-transcriptional modifications, including capping, polyadenylation, and splicing. These events do not occur in prokaryotes.
7. Transcription and translation: In prokaryotes, transcription and translation occur simultaneously, while in eukaryotes, the RNA is first transcribed and then translated in the cytoplasm.

Comparative Table: Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Transcription

The table below highlights the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription:

Despite these differences, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription share some similarities, such as using RNA polymerase as a catalyst for RNA synthesis, with DNA functioning as a template for RNA production.