Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

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 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 Stability

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...

RNA Stability

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...

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

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,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

TESTING METHODS OF EVOLUTIONARY TREE CONSTRUCTION.

Cladistics : the international journal of the Willi Hennig Society·2021

Same author

Improving phylogenetic inference of core Chlorophyta using chloroplast sequences with strong phylogenetic signals and heterogeneous models.

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution·2018

Same author

Effects of Pressure and pH on the Hydrolysis of Cytosine: Implications for Nucleotide Stability around Deep-Sea Black Smokers.

Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology·2017

Same author

Phylogenetics: Tertiary protein structures needed.

Nature ecology & evolution·2017

Same author

Does the Ribosome Challenge our Understanding of the RNA World?

Journal of molecular evolution·2016

Same author

Chloroplast Phylogenomic Inference of Green Algae Relationships.

Scientific reports·2016

Same journal

Mammalian Respiratory Chain Complex Assemblies and Their Links to Mitochondria Stress-Induced Human Diseases.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2026

Same journal

Enzyme Assemblies in Nucleotide Metabolism: Structure, Regulation, and Disease Implications.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2026

Same journal

The Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex: A 90-Year-Old Enigma Shaping the Future of Structural Enzymology.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2026

Same journal

Regulation of the Anti-termination RNA Transcription Complex by Lon-Mediated Lambda N Degradation.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2026

Same journal

PCNA Macromolecular Complexes: PCNA Serves as a Molecular Hub Regulating Multiple Cellular Processes Inside and Outside of the Nucleus.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2026

Same journal

Dynamic Assemblies in Genome Maintenance.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method

Published on: April 30, 2026

How old are RNA networks?

Toni Daly¹, X Sylvia Chen, David Penny

¹Allan Wilson Centre of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

|September 15, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The origins of essential RNA molecules like mRNA and tRNA are ancient, dating back to early life. However, the evolutionary history of complex RNA regulatory networks, particularly small RNA networks and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), remains less certain.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Published on: January 16, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method

Published on: April 30, 2026

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Published on: January 16, 2017

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Major RNA classes (mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, RNase P) are ancient and ubiquitous, suggesting early origins in life.
The evolutionary history of RNA regulatory networks, especially small RNAs and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) like snoRNAs, is less understood.
Some RNA networks may have originated in the RNP-world, an early stage of life involving RNA and proteins before DNA.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary origins of various RNA classes and regulatory networks.
To determine if RNA regulatory networks are as ancient as fundamental RNA molecules.
To explore the potential early existence of ncRNAs and RNA-protein world interactions.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of RNA sequences and structures across different life forms.
Phylogenetic reconstruction to infer evolutionary relationships of RNA molecules.
Bioinformatic approaches to identify and characterize RNA regulatory networks.

Main Results:

Confirmed the ancient origin of ubiquitous RNA molecules like mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, and RNase P.
Highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the evolutionary timeline of small RNA regulatory networks.
Suggested that ncRNAs, including snoRNAs, might have been present in early life and potentially lost in bacteria.

Conclusions:

While core RNA functions are ancient, the complexity of RNA regulatory networks evolved later or has a less clear ancient origin.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of RNA regulatory systems and their components.
The RNP-world hypothesis provides a framework for understanding the pre-DNA era of RNA-centric biological processes.