Which of the following is not an example of a prokaryotic promoter sequence?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
10. Transcription
Transcription in Prokaryotes
Problem 7b
Textbook Question
The DNA sequences shown below are from the promoter regions of six bacterial genes. In each case, the last nucleotide in the sequence (highlighted in blue) is the nucleotide that initiates transcription. Determine the consensus sequence for the Pribnow box from these sequences.


1
Identify the Pribnow box region in each sequence. The Pribnow box is typically located approximately 10 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site (highlighted in blue). Extract the corresponding region from each sequence.
Align the extracted Pribnow box regions from all six sequences. Ensure that the sequences are properly aligned by their relative positions to the transcription start site.
For each position in the aligned sequences, count the frequency of each nucleotide (A, T, G, C). This will help determine the most common nucleotide at each position.
Determine the consensus sequence by selecting the nucleotide with the highest frequency at each position in the Pribnow box alignment. If there is a tie, note that ambiguity may exist at that position.
Combine the most frequent nucleotides from each position to form the final consensus sequence for the Pribnow box.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Pribnow Box
The Pribnow box, also known as the -10 region, is a conserved sequence found in bacterial promoters, typically located about 10 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site. It plays a crucial role in the initiation of transcription by providing a binding site for RNA polymerase. The consensus sequence for the Pribnow box is usually represented as 'TATAAT', which is essential for the recognition and binding of the transcription machinery.
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Consensus Sequence
A consensus sequence is a sequence of DNA that represents the most common nucleotides found at each position in a set of related sequences. It is derived from multiple sequences and highlights the nucleotides that are most frequently observed, indicating their importance in biological functions. In the context of the Pribnow box, the consensus sequence helps identify the key elements necessary for transcription initiation in bacteria.
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Sequencing Overview
Transcription Initiation
Transcription initiation is the process by which RNA polymerase binds to a promoter region of DNA and begins synthesizing RNA. This process is critical for gene expression, as it determines when and how much of a gene is transcribed into messenger RNA. The last nucleotide in the promoter sequence, highlighted in the question, marks the precise point where transcription starts, making it essential for understanding the regulation of gene expression in bacteria.
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