Sigma factors

Sigma factors are proteins that play a crucial role in the process of bacterial transcription, which is how bacteria read their DNA to produce necessary proteins. They help the enzyme RNA polymerase recognize specific starting points on the DNA, called promoters. By binding to RNA polymerase, sigma factors direct it to the right genes to be copied into RNA, allowing bacteria to adapt to different environments or stress conditions. Different sigma factors are used for different sets of genes, enabling bacteria to switch their responses based on their needs, similar to choosing the right tool for a specific job.