Factor independent termination

RNA polymerase stops transcribing DNA into RNA at terminator sequences, factor independent termation one of the two types of termination. Factor independent terminators have a series of 4 to 10 consecutive A-T base pairs and a G and C rich region with a palindromic sequence that immediately preceeding the series of A-T base pairs. This palindromic region forms a stem loop leaving the RNA and DNA connected only by the few A - U and T - A base pairs, these are the weaker Watson-Crick_pairs as they only have 2 Hydrogen_bonds connecting them, this reduced affinity favours dissociation of the RNA and DNA template strand.