Which RNA polymerase transcribes tRNA?

RNA polymerase III (RNA Pol III) is responsible for transcribing tRNA (transfer RNA). This polymerase specializes in synthesizing small RNA molecules, such as tRNA, and also other non-coding RNAs like 5S rRNA, which plays a role in the ribosome's structure and function.

tRNA is crucial in the process of translation, as it carries amino acids to the ribosome and helps to decode the mRNA sequence into a polypeptide chain. The structure of tRNA is specifically adapted for its role, and its synthesis by RNA Pol III ensures that the proper tRNA molecules are produced in the correct quantities for protein synthesis.

Understanding the specific roles of different RNA polymerases helps clarify how gene expression is regulated and how different types of RNA contribute to cellular functions. This classification of RNA polymerases into distinct categories based on the RNA types they synthesize is important for grasping the overall mechanisms of transcription in eukaryotic cells.