what are differences of transcription factors between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms what are differences of transcription factors between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms Solution Prokaryotes contain a single type of RNA polymerase, while eukaryotes (multicellular organisms and yeasts) contain three distinct types. Transcription in Prokaryotes In prokaryotes, all transcription is performed by a single type of RNA polymerase. This polymerase contains four catalytic subunits and a single regulatory subunit known as sigma (s). Several distinct sigma factors have been identified, and each of these oversees transcription of a unique set of genes. Sigma factors are thus discriminatory, as each binds a distinct set of promoter sequences. Transcrption in eukaryotes in eukaryotes, transcription is achieved by three different types of RNA polymerase (RNA pol I- III). These polymerases differ in the number and type of subunits they contain, as well as the class of RNAs they transcribe; that is, RNA pol I transcribes ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), RNA pol II transcribes RNAs that will become messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and also small regulatory RNAs, and RNA pol III transcribes small RNAs such as transfer RNAs (tRNAs)..