Muhammad Muneeb Khawar

Roll No:255
MBBS 2nd Year
Transcription Lec:3
a) Describe the allosteric and torpedo models for transcriptional termination of RNA polymerase
II?
Answer:
The following two are the models for the separation of DNA and mRNA:
1. Allosteric model:
RNA polymerase II gets destabilized after it has transcribed the poly-A sequence. This destabilization
is due to the release of elongation factors or the binding of termination factors.
2. Torpedo model:
The region that is downstream from the poly-A sequence is cleaved by exonuclease (rat-1) in 5’ to 3’
direction until it reaches RNA polymerase II and stops the transcription.

b) Which model of transcription termination is more similar to ρ-dependent termination in

bacteria and which model is more similar to ρ-independent termination?
Answer:
The torpedo model for termination of transcription is similar to the ρ-dependent termination in
bacteria as Rho factor in prokaryotic transcriptional termination plays the same role as performed by
the 5’ exonuclease in eukaryotic transcriptional termination.
The allosteric model for termination of transcription in eukaryotes is similar to rho independent
termination of transcription in prokaryotes.
Termination of transcription for RNA polymerase I in eukaryotes:
It is similar to rho dependent termination in bacteria because Transcription termination factor TTF-1
is required for termination. TTF-1 binds to DNA while rho factor binds to Rut site in RNA.

Termination of transcription for RNA polymerase III in eukaryotes:

This is similar to rho independent termination of transcription in prokaryotes because it forms a
string of Uracil nucleotides but does not form a hairpin loop.