# Promoter --- A **promoter** is the site on [[DNA]] strands where the [[RNA polymerase]] binds to initate [[transcription]]. One interesting thing to rememeber is that the promoter is really only is on the template strand, as that's the one that's being read. This means that the promoter sequence is found on an [[nucleic acid|antisense (-) DNA]] strand. ![[promoter and gene.png]] ## Promoters In Prokaryotes Promoters in prokaryotes are relatively straightforward. Almost every bacteria has the -10, -35 regions that are pretty close to identicle no mater what. ![[promoter.png]] ## Promoters in Eukaryotes Genes in eukaryotes are, as a general rule, much more complex than in prokaryotes. There is much more variety in the qualities a promoter can have. ### TATA Box The **TATA box** is a highly conserved promoter found in many eukaryotic genes that helps recruit [[RNA polymerase]]. (Okay, is this the -10 box?) ### Core Promoter (?) ### Enhancers **Enhancers** are parts of eukaryotic DNA that play a role in how active the transcription of a particular gene is. Regulatory proteins find these enhancers and bind to them, so that they can make a DNA loop around and also attach to the [[RNA polymerase]]. Notably, enhancers are not really anywhere near the genes they are enhancing. ![[enhancers.png]] ___