Gene Transcription/DNA Replication

[Lindsay]

Hey
In what respects is the process of gene transcription similar to the process of DNA replication?
Thanks
Lindsay

 

[iansmith]

There is not many similar processes between DNA replication and transcription.

The firts common point is that both process starts with the unwinding of the DNA. How replication and transcritption is iniated is different, replication requires RNA primers on the template strand and other factor whereas transcripption does not require RNA primer and migth requires DNA binding proteins and DNA. The other common point is the addition of NTPs by the same chemical process. Structuarly DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase are dissimilar in many points.

The website has good basic animation and explanation: http://www.ncc.gmu.edu/dna/

From this site (http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/molecular/dnatranscription/section1.html)

The processes that synthesize DNA and RNA are similar in that they use similar nucleotide building blocks. They also use the same chemical method of attack by a terminal -OH group of the growing chain on the triphosphate group of an incoming nucleotide. Both replication and transcription are fueled by the hydrolysis of the pyrophosphate group that is released upon attack. There are, however, a number of important differences between these two distinct processes.