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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

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...

Chromatin Structure and RNA Splicing

Chromatin Structure and RNA Splicing

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,...

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

RNA Secondary Structure Prediction Using High-throughput SHAPE

RNA Secondary Structure Prediction Using High-throughput SHAPE

Published on: May 31, 2013

High-throughput determination of RNA structures.

Eric J Strobel¹, Angela M Yu², Julius B Lucks³

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.

Nature Reviews. Genetics

|July 29, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are exploring the link between RNA structure and function. New technologies are revealing RNA structures within cells at unprecedented scales.

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Last Updated: Feb 7, 2026

RNA Secondary Structure Prediction Using High-throughput SHAPE

RNA Secondary Structure Prediction Using High-throughput SHAPE

Published on: May 31, 2013

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

Published on: May 5, 2014

Highly Efficient Ligation of Small RNA Molecules for MicroRNA Quantitation by High-Throughput Sequencing

Highly Efficient Ligation of Small RNA Molecules for MicroRNA Quantitation by High-Throughput Sequencing

Published on: November 18, 2014

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) plays critical roles in cellular processes, with ongoing discoveries revealing new functions.
Understanding the relationship between RNA structure and its diverse cellular roles is a key area of research.
The cellular environment presents complex challenges for studying RNA structure.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the intricate link between RNA structure and its diverse functional roles within the cell.
To highlight the growing interest in understanding how cellular RNA structures influence biological processes.
To introduce emerging technologies that enable the interrogation of RNA structure.

Main Methods:

Utilizing advanced RNA structural probes.
Employing high-throughput sequencing techniques.
Applying novel computational approaches for data analysis.

Main Results:

New technologies provide unprecedented throughput for RNA structure analysis.
Insights into RNA structures are being gained at novel spatial, temporal, and cellular scales.
The study highlights the rapid pace of discovery in RNA biology.

Conclusions:

Advances in technology are crucial for deciphering the functional relevance of RNA structures.
Future research will benefit from these new tools to explore RNA biology.
Understanding cellular RNA structure is essential for comprehending gene regulation and function.