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Types of RNA

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...

Types of RNA

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...

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RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...

RNA Interference

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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System

Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System

Published on: October 22, 2020

Cigarette smoke exposure-associated alterations to non-coding RNA.

Matthew A Maccani¹, Valerie S Knopik

¹Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI, USA.

Frontiers in Genetics

|April 18, 2012

Summary

Environmental exposures like cigarette smoke can alter non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression, impacting fetal development and lifelong health. Understanding these epigenetic changes is crucial for mitigating long-term disease risks.

Keywords:

cigarette smoke epigenetics miRNA non-coding RNA

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Area of Science:

Environmental Epigenetics
Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Environmental exposures during development can have lifelong health consequences.
Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly non-coding RNA (ncRNA), play a role in mediating these effects.
Cigarette smoking is a common exposure with potential impacts on gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the literature on cigarette smoke exposure and its effects on ncRNA expression and function.
To assess the life-course consequences of smoking-induced ncRNA alterations.
To propose future research directions in environmental epigenetics and ncRNA.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies investigating environmental exposures, epigenetics, and ncRNA.
Focus on research linking cigarette smoke to aberrant ncRNA expression.
Analysis of ncRNA regulatory mechanisms, including microRNA (miRNA).

Main Results:

Cigarette smoke exposure is linked to altered expression and function of various ncRNAs, including miRNA.
These ncRNA alterations can impact critical biological processes during fetal development and beyond.
Single miRNAs can regulate numerous genes, affecting multiple health and developmental pathways.

Conclusions:

Smoking-induced epigenetic changes via ncRNA can have detrimental effects throughout the life course.
Aberrant ncRNA expression may contribute to increased disease risk.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex interactions and their implications.