Gene expression, the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product, occurs in two primary steps: transcription and translation. Transcription, the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotic cells, lacking a defined nucleus, transcription takes place in the cytoplasm. Translation, the synthesis of a polypeptide chain using the information encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA), occurs at the ribosomes.
The compartmentalization of transcription and translation in eukaryotes allows for greater regulation of gene expression, facilitating processes such as RNA processing and quality control before translation. In prokaryotes, the close proximity of transcription and translation enables coupled transcription-translation, where translation of an mRNA molecule begins even before its synthesis is complete. Understanding the spatial separation or proximity of these processes is fundamental to comprehending the mechanisms governing gene expression and cellular function.