RNA Transcription and Translation: The Role of Sense and Antisense Strand

(-) strand RNA has to do what before translation can occur?

it must first be copied to a (+) strand before translation can occur

Before translation can occur, the (-) strand RNA, also known as the antisense strand, must be transcribed into a complementary (+) strand RNA, also known as the sense strand. This is because the genetic code in the RNA is read in the 5′ to 3′ direction, and the (-) strand is oriented in the opposite direction. Therefore, the RNA polymerase enzyme must first bind to a specific promoter sequence on the (-) strand and initiate transcription in the opposite direction. During transcription, the RNA polymerase enzyme uses the (-) strand as a template to synthesize a complementary (+) strand RNA molecule by adding nucleotides in the 5′ to 3′ direction. Once the (+) strand RNA is synthesized, it can be used as a template for translation to occur. During translation, ribosomes bind to the (+) strand RNA and read the triplet codons to generate a protein sequence.

More Answers: