What is a key characteristic of Rho-independent termination?

Rho-independent termination, also known as intrinsic termination, is characterized by the formation of a hairpin structure in the RNA transcript during transcription. This structure is created when sequences in the RNA complementarily base pair, allowing the formation of a stable stem-loop. This hairpin formation leads to a disruption of the transcription machinery, causing the RNA polymerase to dissociate from the DNA template and terminate transcription.

The hairpin is typically followed by a series of uracil residues in the RNA, which further weakens the interaction between the RNA and the DNA template. This is crucial for successful termination of transcription without the need for additional factors.

While Rho-dependent termination relies on the Rho protein to facilitate termination, Rho-independent termination is a more straightforward process that does not require auxiliary proteins or enzymes, emphasizing the role of the RNA sequence itself in facilitating the termination process. It is also important to note that Rho-independent termination occurs in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, although it is more commonly observed in prokaryotic systems.