PPT Slide

Reaction catalyzed by RNA polymerase

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Notes:

The chemistry of RNA synthesis is similar to DNA synthesis. It involves a hydrophilic attack by the 3’-OH group of the last nucleotide of the chain on the 5’ triphosphate of the incoming nucleotide. The result is a new phosphodiester linkage and pyropho

The overall chain growth is 5’-3’ , just like in DNA replication.

Now since I’ve mentioned a few similarities between DNA and RNA synthesis (namely, catalysis and chain growth), I should tell you that one of the major differences between RNA and DNA polymerases is that RNA pol can start a chain and does not need a prime