Transcription bubble

A transcription bubble is a molecular structure that occurs during the transcription of DNA when a limited portion of the DNA double strand is unwound. RNA polymerase may then bind to the exposed DNA and begin synthesizing a new strand of RNA. As RNA polymerase progresses down the DNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction, more of the DNA double strand is unwound downstream of the polymerase while DNA upstream of the polymerase re-anneals, moving a transcription bubble in the process that may be seen with specialized staining techniques, spectroscopy or microscopy.

See also

• Transcription factors
• Transcription_(genetics)#Pre-initiation

References

• George Plopper. Principles of Cell Biology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Jan 17, 2012 pg .258