RNA Polymerase Structure

3D Structure of RNA Polymerase

CPK Color Scheme C O N P

On this page, you can see RNA polymerase frozen in action. You can click and drag to see the shape before clicking on the buttons below.

Highlight the RNA molecule in yellow and hide the RNA polymerase protein enzyme.

Hide the non-coding DNA strand and turn the template DNA strand pink.

Rotate the structure to see the RNA (yellow) and template DNA (pink) base paring and helical shape.

Look at the non-template DNA (blue) and change the template DNA back to red. Then the DNA double helix will rotate to show the base pairing.

The protein will be redrawn as a cartoon with yellow beta strands and pink alpha helices. The yellow RNA will be protruding towards you. The closest base to you is the first base on the 5' end.
Zoom out by using the shift key and mousing up.

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