Sense

Transcription and Translation

In the context of DNA transcription, sense and antisense are terms used to identify the two strands of a double-stranded DNA molecule. The terms help to specify which DNA strand contains the sequence that is transcribed into RNA and eventually translated into a protein.

Overview and Function

DNA consists of two strands that are arranged in a double helix. Each strand is composed of a sequence of nucleotides. These sequences are not identical but are complementary to each other. During the process of transcription, one of these strands, known as the antisense or template strand, is used as a template by RNA polymerase to synthesize an RNA molecule. The RNA sequence synthesized is complementary to the antisense strand and identical to the other DNA strand, the sense or coding strand.

Understanding Sense and Antisense Strands

• The sense strand or coding strand of the DNA molecule has the same sequence (except for the substitution of uracil for thymine) as the mRNA that is produced from it. It's termed "sense" because it contains the codon sequences that are "read" in the process of translation to produce proteins.
• The antisense strand or template strand is the strand that is transcribed into mRNA by RNA polymerase. The RNA transcript is complementary to the antisense strand and matches the sense strand (except for the T-to-U substitution). Therefore, it is this antisense strand that serves as the template for the synthesis of the corresponding RNA molecule.

It's crucial to understand that which strand acts as the sense or antisense is dependent on the particular gene being transcribed. Both DNA strands can act as templates for transcription, but for any given gene, only one of the two DNA strands is transcribed.

Significance in Gene Expression and Biotechnology

The identification of sense and antisense strands is fundamental to understanding gene expression, as it allows researchers to know which DNA strand contains the information for producing a particular protein. The concept of sense and antisense is also exploited in biotechnology to regulate gene expression through techniques such as antisense therapy. In this technique, synthetic antisense RNA or DNA sequences are introduced into an organism to bind to the sense sequences of particular mRNA molecules, thereby preventing them from being translated into protein.

See Also

• DNA
• RNA
• Transcription (biology)
• Translation (biology)
• Gene expression
• Antisense therapy

Sense Resources
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