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RNA Structure

RNA Structure

Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...

RNA Splicing

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...

RNA Structure

RNA Structure

Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...

RNA Splicing

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...

RNA Structure

RNA Structure

The basic structure of RNA consists of a string of ribonucleotides attached by phosphodiester bonds. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...

Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...

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mRNA Interactome Capture from Plant Protoplasts

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Ethidium and proflavine binding to a 2',5'-linked RNA duplex.

Eric D Horowitz¹, Nicholas V Hud

¹School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, USA.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|November 30, 2006

Summary

Investigating RNA and DNA intercalation energetics reveals the nucleic acid backbone

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Structural Biology

Background:

Fundamental questions persist regarding the energetics of RNA and DNA intercalation.
The nucleic acid backbone's role in intercalation free energy is complex due to intertwined factors like pi-pi stacking and solvent effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the contribution of the nucleic acid backbone to intercalation energetics.
To determine the binding affinity of intercalators to different RNA structures.

Main Methods:

Fluorescence titrations were employed to measure association constants.
The study focused on two intercalators: proflavine and ethidium.
Binding affinities were assessed for duplex 2',5'-linked RNA compared to standard 3',5'-linked RNA.

Main Results:

Proflavine exhibited a 25-fold greater association constant for 2',5'-linked RNA compared to standard RNA.
Ethidium showed less favorable binding to 2',5'-linked RNA than to standard RNA.

Conclusions:

The nucleic acid backbone significantly influences intercalation energetics.
The differential binding of proflavine and ethidium highlights sequence and structural effects on intercalation.