Differences between Transcription and Translation – Transcription vs Translation

Definition of Transcription

• Transcription is the process by which the genetic information contained on DNA strands is transferred into an RNA strand through an array of polymerization reactions caused by enzymes known as DNA-dependent polymerases.
• This is the very first stage of gene expression in which the information is transferred between structures to the next.
• In the process of transcription, molecules of RNA get created, lengthened and finally elongated. The RNA that is formed is non-genetic RNA.
• Transcription is an essential step for translation. It occurs in the event of a requirement for a specific gene product at a particular time to the specific tissue.
• One strand of DNA is called the template strand, gets duplicated during transcription, as resulting RNA strands form mono-stranded messenger-RNA (mRNA).
• The transcription of a gene takes place at the chromosomal end of the gene. This is typically a small portion of the chromosome.
• The transcription process is controlled by a sophisticated process that is controlled and catalyzed by the enzyme DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
• The initial step is identification of DNA sequences, also known as promoter sequences which indicate the start in the development of the gene.
• The process is followed by the splitting of two DNA strands and the replication of one of the DNA strands using the polymerase in RNA.
• The RNA polymerase that is found in the eukaryotes is more complex and different as compared to prokaryotes.
• The sequence that is created after replication is identical to that of the original template since the process is based on the complementary principles of base pairing in DNA however, the thymine element is replaced by uracil.
• In prokaryotes the entire process is controlled by proteins which function as operators or signals and stop this process through physically blocking RNA polymerase after the process has been completed.
• In eukaryotes the various proteins referred to as transcription factors play a role in the control of transcription.
• In addition, post-transcriptional modifications is also seen in eukaryotes in which the pre-mRNA (the product from transcription) is altered through the method of splicing prior to the mature mRNA gets to the ribosomes that are used for translation.
• The mRNA produced functions as an outline for the synthesis of proteins during transcription.
• Based on the DNA sequence that is used to be used for transcription, rRNA as well as tRNA synthesis can also take place.
• Transcription takes place inside the nucleus of the eukaryotes, and in the cells of prokaryotes in which the enzymes and transcriptional factors are present.
• It is blocked by antibiotics, such as rifampicin or 8-Hydroxy.
• The process is detected using methods like RT-PCR DNA microarray, in situ hybridization, as well as northern blotting.

Translation Definition

• The process of translation is of protein synthesis, where the RNA information is expressed as polypeptide chains.
• It is the second and final step in the process of expression of genes where information encoded in the mRNA sequence result in the amino acid sequence.
• The beginning point to translation begins with the microRNA that has formed through the process of transcription of a specific DNA sequence. Translation follows transcription.
• Although the information contained in the mRNA is used to make the amino acid sequence other types of RNA, such as the tRNA are also necessary to complete the process.
• As with transcription, translation can also be controlled by a variety of factors and enzymes. The most crucial enzyme is aminoacetyl synthetase of tRNA.
• The process begins with the initial phase, which involves binding of the mRNA to ribosomes. This is followed by the transfer and the binding of activated amino acids on the transcriptase.
• The next stage is elongation. the two amino acids get linked by the peptide bond while ribosomes and mRNA move in relation each other to enable the sequential translation of codons.
• When all codons have been translated, the resulting polypeptide sequence is separated with the translation system and ribosomes are released to initiate a new process of translation.
• The termination process is followed by post-translation modifications in which the polypeptide has to be folded in order to get the three-dimensional shape. This happens in the endoplasmic retina and Golgi apparatus in the cell. As a result the polypeptide chains are transported to the organelles.
• Some modifications may be chemical and require the joining functions to the sequence of peptides.
• The process of translation is controlled by the binding of ribosomal subunits with this translation component. Ribosomes are enzymes to regulate different processes.
• In eukaryotes the translation process occurs within the ribosomes of the endoplasmic-reticulum, whereas in prokaryotes it is located within the cytoplasm.
• The translation is blocked by antibiotics, such as tetracycline streptomycin and chloramphenicol anisomycin, cycloheximide and so on.
• Similar to the procedure of translating can also be identified using methods such as western Blotting, immunoblotting enzyme assays, Protein sequencing, etc.

Differences between Transcription and Translation (Transcription vs Translation)