transcriptioncentric

Transcription-centric is an adjective used to describe approaches, analyses, or viewpoints that place transcription—the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template—at the center of gene expression studies. In this usage, transcription refers to initiation and regulation by promoters, enhancers, and transcription factors, as opposed to subsequent steps such as RNA processing, translation, or protein activity.

In experimental contexts, a transcription-centric perspective prioritizes measurements and models of transcriptional activity. Techniques that capture transcription rates or initiation events, such as nascent RNA labeling, GRO-seq, PRO-seq, and CAGE for transcription start-site mapping, are commonly associated with this emphasis. Data interpretation often distinguishes transcriptional output from mature RNA abundance.

In computational and analytical contexts, transcription-centric analyses focus on promoter usage, transcription factor binding, chromatin accessibility at promoter regions, and transcriptional bursting. This contrasts with approaches that infer gene regulation primarily from steady-state transcript levels, translation efficiency, or proteomics data. Differential transcription analyses compare changes in transcription rates rather than changes in total RNA abundance alone.

Origin and usage: there is no formal, universally adopted definition, and the term appears in diverse contexts. It is sometimes adopted to contrast transcription-level control with post-transcriptional or translational regulation or to emphasize the initial stages of gene expression in regulatory models.