5. RNA polymerase recognizes specific promoter sequences on DNA to initiate transcription o Promoter sequences are located adjacent to genes o Promoters can be identified using" protection assays (e.g, footprinting techniques) o Promoters, although all bind to the same polymerase have quite variable DNa sequences(surprisingly), but with two consensus sequences centered at-10 and 35 positions (the first residue of the rna is given +1) o Promoters having sequences more similar to the consensus are more efficient, and vice versa (from studies of mutations and activity comparison)5. RNA polymerase recognizes specific promoter sequences on DNA to initiate transcription ⚫ Promoter sequences are located adjacent to genes. ⚫ Promoters can be identified using “protection assays” (e.g., footprinting techniques). ⚫ Promoters, although all bind to the same polymerase, have quite variable DNA sequences (surprisingly), but with two consensus sequences centered at –10 and – 35 positions (the first residue of the RNA is given +1). ⚫ Promoters having sequences more similar to the consensus are more efficient, and vice versa (from studies of mutations and activity comparison)