Why Does Abortive Initiation Occur?

Abortive initiation, also known as abortive transcription, is an early process of genetic transcription in which RNA polymerase binds to a DNA promoter and enters into cycles of synthesis of short mRNA transcripts which are released before the transcription complex leaves the promoter.

What is the reason for abortive initiation?

Promoter escape

'Abortive initiation' is characterized by the repetitive synthesis of small oligomeric transcripts near the start site of transcription, and these abortive products are released from the transcribing complex without release of the polymerase or initiation factors.

Why does initiation occur?

Initiation is the beginning of transcription. It occurs when the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a region of a gene called the promoter. This signals the DNA to unwind so the enzyme can ''read'' the bases in one of the DNA strands. The enzyme is now ready to make a strand of mRNA with a complementary sequence of bases.