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Related Concept Videos

Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
Overview of DNA Repair02:25

Overview of DNA Repair

In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
Chemically...
Overview of DNA Repair02:25

Overview of DNA Repair

In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
Chemically...
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis
09:04

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis

Published on: July 26, 2018

RNA under attack: cellular handling of RNA damage.

Elisabeth J Wurtmann1, Sandra L Wolin

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. elisabeth.wurtmann@yale.edu

Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|December 18, 2008
PubMed
Summary

RNA damage from UV light and chemical agents causes modifications and crosslinks. Cells possess pathways to clear damaged RNA, crucial for normal function and disease states.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RNA molecules are susceptible to various forms of damage, including chemical modifications and crosslinking, from environmental and endogenous factors.
  • These damaging agents include ultraviolet (UV) light, oxidative stress, and chemical exposures like chlorination, nitration, and alkylation.
  • Such damage can occur to both messenger RNA (mRNA) and noncoding RNA (ncRNA), potentially impacting cellular function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the types of RNA damage and their physiological relevance.
  • To explore the functional consequences of RNA damage in both normal and disease states.
  • To highlight the cellular mechanisms involved in clearing damaged RNA.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of in vitro and in vivo studies on RNA damage.

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Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage
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Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage

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Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
09:20

Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 11, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis
09:04

Studying Ribonucleotide Incorporation: Strand-specific Detection of Ribonucleotides in the Yeast Genome and Measuring Ribonucleotide-induced Mutagenesis

Published on: July 26, 2018

Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage
10:59

Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage

Published on: August 21, 2021

Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
09:20

Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 11, 2022

  • Analysis of identified RNA damage products and their relevance.
  • Examination of RNA turnover and damage recognition pathways.

    • Main Results:

    • Diverse RNA damage products have been identified in vitro, with some confirmed in vivo under various conditions.
    • Both mRNA and ncRNA damage can lead to significant functional consequences.
    • Cellular pathways for RNA turnover and damage recognition are being investigated for their role in removing damaged RNA.

    Conclusions:

    • RNA damage is a significant cellular event with broad implications for cell physiology.
    • Understanding RNA damage and repair mechanisms is vital for comprehending cellular health and disease.
    • Further research into RNA quality control pathways is essential.