Which term describes transcription termination that does not require the Rho protein?

Which term describes transcription termination that does not require the Rho protein?

• A. Rho-dependent
• B. Promoter termination
• C. Rho-independent
• D. Intrinsic termination

Answer: (C)

Transcription termination in bacteria can occur by two main routes: Rho-dependent termination and intrinsic termination. The one that does not require the Rho protein is intrinsic termination, also called Rho-independent termination. It works because the nascent RNA forms a GC-rich hairpin structure followed by a string of uracils. The hairpin causes RNA polymerase to pause, and the weak A–U interactions in the RNA–DNA hybrid after the hairpin destabilize the transcription complex, leading to dissociation. Rho-dependent termination, in contrast, requires the Rho helicase to catch up to the paused RNA polymerase at a rut site and dislodge the transcription complex. So the non-Rho mechanism is intrinsic termination (Rho-independent).

Transcription termination in bacteria can occur by two main routes: Rho-dependent termination and intrinsic termination. The one that does not require the Rho protein is intrinsic termination, also called Rho-independent termination. It works because the nascent RNA forms a GC-rich hairpin structure followed by a string of uracils. The hairpin causes RNA polymerase to pause, and the weak A–U interactions in the RNA–DNA hybrid after the hairpin destabilize the transcription complex, leading to dissociation.

Rho-dependent termination, in contrast, requires the Rho helicase to catch up to the paused RNA polymerase at a rut site and dislodge the transcription complex. So the non-Rho mechanism is intrinsic termination (Rho-independent).