Transcription

(To the tune of “Frosty the Snowman”) / Recording by David Simmons

Phos-pho-di-esters
Are the bonds of RNA
That support a ribopolymer
Made of G,C,U and A

The RNA polymerase
Binds to a TATA box
And copies from the template strand
All the along the way it walks

IN-i-ti-a-tion
Of transcription thus proceeds
From the closed to open complexing
In the DNA it reads

The sigma factor gets released
Its work is over fast
Polymerase can then advance
After this step has been passed

In elongation
The polymerizing spree
Moves along the way in fits and starts
Synthesizing five to three

The RNA is floppy and
It dangles from one end
Oh that’s a most important thing
For you to comprehend

Then termination
Fin-ish-ES the RNAs
Thanks to protein rho or hairpin forms
That release polymerase

So this describes transcription’s steps
In three part harmonies
Here’s hoping with this melody
You (can) learn it all with ease

Phos-pho-di-esters
Are the bonds of RNA
That support a ribopolymer
Made of G,C,U and A

Translating proteins, translating proteins
Moving 5 to 3
Translating proteins, translating proteins
A polymerizing spree