What are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression?

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Prokaryotic organisms are single-celled organisms that do not have a defined nucleus. Their DNA floats freely within the cell cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells are more complex. They have intracellular organelles and their DNA is contained inside the cell’s nucleus where it is transcribed into RNA. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression are two processes involved in the transcription of genes. These are the key differences between the two processes:

Basis of Comparison
Prokaryotic Gene Expression
Eukaryotic Gene Expression

Definition
Refers to the process by which information from the prokaryotic genes is used to synthesize a functional gene product
Refers to the process by which information from eukaryotic genes is used to synthesize a functional gene product

Occurrence
Entire process occurs in the cytoplasm
A part of the process (transcription) occurs inside the nucleus, another part of the process (translation) occurs in the cytoplasm

Regulation
Regulation occurs at the transcriptional level
Regulation may occur at epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels

Assembly of transcription initiation factors
Transcription initiation factors do not assemble with the initiation complex
Transcription initiation factors assemble with the initiation complex

Temporal segregation 
Transcription and translation occur simultaneously
Transcription and translation occur at different times

Promoter elements
Contains only 3 promoter elements
Contains a much larger set of promoter elements including the TATA box

Types of RNA polymerase
Uses a single type of RNA polymerase
Uses 3 types of RNA polymerases

Type of mRNA produced
Results in polycistronic mRNA
Results in monocistronic mRNA

Post-Transcriptional Modifications
Does not include post-transcriptional modifications
Includes post-transcriptional modifications

Basis of Comparison	Prokaryotic Gene Expression	Eukaryotic Gene Expression
Definition	Refers to the process by which information from the prokaryotic genes is used to synthesize a functional gene product	Refers to the process by which information from eukaryotic genes is used to synthesize a functional gene product
Occurrence	Entire process occurs in the cytoplasm	A part of the process (transcription) occurs inside the nucleus, another part of the process (translation) occurs in the cytoplasm
Regulation	Regulation occurs at the transcriptional level	Regulation may occur at epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels
Assembly of transcription initiation factors	Transcription initiation factors do not assemble with the initiation complex	Transcription initiation factors assemble with the initiation complex
Temporal segregation	Transcription and translation occur simultaneously	Transcription and translation occur at different times
Promoter elements	Contains only 3 promoter elements	Contains a much larger set of promoter elements including the TATA box
Types of RNA polymerase	Uses a single type of RNA polymerase	Uses 3 types of RNA polymerases
Type of mRNA produced	Results in polycistronic mRNA	Results in monocistronic mRNA
Post-Transcriptional Modifications	Does not include post-transcriptional modifications	Includes post-transcriptional modifications

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