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Related Concept Videos

RNA Structure01:19

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...
RNA Structure01:23

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 Structure01:23

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...
Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

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...
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis02:53

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis02:53

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Mapping RNA-RNA Interactions Globally Using Biotinylated Psoralen
11:32

Mapping RNA-RNA Interactions Globally Using Biotinylated Psoralen

Published on: May 24, 2017

Emerging structural themes in large RNA molecules.

Nicholas J Reiter1, Clarence W Chan, Alfonso Mondragón

  • 1Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|April 9, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Large RNA molecules fold into organized structures through tertiary interactions, forming a conserved functional core essential for their roles in catalysis and recognition. This reveals how complex RNA folding enables specific molecular functions.

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Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Mapping RNA-RNA Interactions Globally Using Biotinylated Psoralen
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Mapping RNA-RNA Interactions Globally Using Biotinylated Psoralen

Published on: May 24, 2017

Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Large RNA molecules exhibit complex three-dimensional structures crucial for their biological functions.
  • These structures are characterized by extensive tertiary interactions that organize RNA domains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the principles governing the folding and tertiary structure stabilization of large RNA molecules.
  • To understand how conserved functional cores are assembled within diverse RNA architectures.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of tertiary interaction networks in large RNA molecules.
  • Characterization of domain architectures and coaxial helix stacking.
  • Identification of conserved nucleotide regions and tertiary motifs.

Main Results:

  • Large RNAs adopt relatively flat overall shapes due to stacked coaxial helices.
  • Tertiary interactions stabilize a conserved functional core, even in structurally diverse homologous RNAs.
  • Preassembled active and/or substrate binding sites are integral to the functional core.

Conclusions:

  • The study expands understanding of RNA folding and tertiary structure stabilization mechanisms.
  • Complex RNA assembly into unique structures facilitates molecular recognition and catalysis.
  • Conserved functional cores are key to RNA function across different organisms.