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Nucleic acids

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,...

Nucleic Acids

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,...

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic Acid Structure

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...

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins

For successful DNA replication, the unwinding of double-stranded DNA must be accompanied by stabilization and protection of the separated single strands of the DNA. This crucial task is performed by single-strand DNA-binding (SSB) proteins. They bind to the DNA in a sequence-independent manner, which means that the nitrogenous bases of the DNA need not be present in a specific order for binding of SSB proteins to it. The binding of SSB proteins straightens single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and makes...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 20, 2014

The elusive quest for RNA knots.

Aaron S Burton¹, Marco Di Stefano², Niles Lehman³

¹a NASA Johnson Space Center , Houston , TX , 77058 USA.

|February 2, 2016

Summary

Physical knots are expected in RNA, but none have been found. This study explores why RNA knots are absent and identifies potential candidates for future discovery.

Keywords:

Physical knots RNA knots RNA structure

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Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Stable DNA Motifs, 1D and 2D Nanostructures Constructed from Small Circular DNA Molecules

Published on: April 12, 2019

Area of Science:

Polymer Physics
Structural Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Physical knots are common in long, densely packed polymers like proteins and viral DNA.
The increasing availability of RNA structures allows for the investigation of knot incidence in RNA molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the surprising absence of physical knots in all known RNA structures.
To explore potential reasons for the lack of observed RNA knots, despite theoretical expectations.
To identify specific RNA sequences that may be candidates for knot formation.

Main Methods:

Review of existing RNA structural data.
Analysis of polymer physics principles related to knot formation.
Prediction of RNA secondary structures to identify potential knot candidates.

Main Results:

No physical knots have been identified in any currently available RNA structures.
The absence of knots in RNA challenges expectations based on polymer physics.

Conclusions:

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms preventing knot formation in RNA.
Specific RNA sequences with predicted secondary structures are proposed as candidates for future experimental investigation of RNA knots.