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Related Concept Videos

Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
Nucleic Acids02:43

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
Nucleic acids02:43

Nucleic acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) for the Study of RNA-Protein Interactions: The IRE/IRP Example
12:44

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) for the Study of RNA-Protein Interactions: The IRE/IRP Example

Published on: December 3, 2014

Metal ion binding to RNA.

Pascal Auffinger1, Neena Grover, Eric Westhof

  • 1Architecture et Reactivite de l'ARN, Université de Strasbourg, IBMC, CNRS, 15 rue René Descartes, F-67084, Strasbourg, France. p.auffinger@ibmc-cnrs.unistra.fr

Metal Ions in Life Sciences
|October 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

RNA crystal structures reveal specific metal ion binding sites. Understanding these RNA-ion interactions is crucial, but complex due to varied experimental conditions and ion similarities.

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) for the Study of RNA-Protein Interactions: The IRE/IRP Example
12:44

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) for the Study of RNA-Protein Interactions: The IRE/IRP Example

Published on: December 3, 2014

An Assay for Quantifying Protein-RNA Binding in Bacteria
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An Assay for Quantifying Protein-RNA Binding in Bacteria

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Capture and Identification of RNA-binding Proteins by Using Click Chemistry-assisted RNA-interactome Capture (CARIC) Strategy
09:36

Capture and Identification of RNA-binding Proteins by Using Click Chemistry-assisted RNA-interactome Capture (CARIC) Strategy

Published on: October 19, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Crystallography

Background:

  • RNA crystal structures reveal localized metal ion binding sites.
  • Specific sites include the RNA deep groove, guanine Hoogsteen faces, and phosphate oxygens.
  • Heavy metal derivatives and reporter ions aid in structural studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss observed ions bound to RNA.
  • To analyze their coordination properties and roles in RNA structural studies.
  • To estimate global similarities and differences in ion binding properties.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of crystallographic data from RNA crystal structures.
  • Examination of structures solved with heavy metal derivatives and reporter ions.
  • Review of existing literature on RNA-ion interactions.

Main Results:

  • Ion interactions with nucleic acids are not easily interchangeable between similarly charged ions.
  • RNA-ion interactions, particularly with K+ and Mg2+, require careful physiological relevance analysis.
  • Diverse ionic conditions in crystal structure determination complicate generalizations.

Conclusions:

  • Crystallographic data provide insights into RNA-ion binding specificities.
  • Generalizing RNA-ion interactions is challenging due to experimental variability and ion similarity.
  • Further research is needed to accurately determine the influence of ions on RNA structure and vice versa.