Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

228
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
228
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

213
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
213
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

5.3K
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.3K
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

34.1K
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...
34.1K
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

34.7K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
34.7K
Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

Nucleic Acid Structure

7.5K
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...
7.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Optimization of a lentivirus-mediated gene therapy targeting HIV-1 RNA to eliminate HIV-1-infected cells.

Molecular therapy. Nucleic acids·2024
Same author

Zika viruses encode 5' upstream open reading frames affecting infection of human brain cells.

Nature communications·2024
Same author

Author Correction: Africa-specific human genetic variation near CHD1L associates with HIV-1 load.

Nature·2023
Same author

Africa-specific human genetic variation near CHD1L associates with HIV-1 load.

Nature·2023
Same author

Identifying the structures of individual RNA isoforms inside cells.

Nature methods·2023
Same author

Life changing response to successive surgical interventions on cranial venous outflow: A case report on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Frontiers in neurology·2023
Same journal

Correction: Bulatov et al. Camelpox Virus in Western Kazakhstan: Assessment of the Role of Local Fauna as Reservoirs of Infection. <i>Viruses</i> 2024, <i>16</i>, 1626.

Viruses·2026
Same journal

Correction: Franco et al. Whole Blood Volume-Based Absolute Quantification of HTLV-1 Proviral Load: A Comparative Method Evaluation Study. <i>Viruses</i> 2026, <i>18</i>, 580.

Viruses·2026
Same journal

Correction: Medkour et al. Adenovirus Infections in African Humans and Wild Non-Human Primates: Great Diversity and Cross-Species Transmission. <i>Viruses</i> 2020, <i>12</i>, 657.

Viruses·2026
Same journal

Burden of Malaria and Dengue Across Global, Asian, and Chinese Populations Based on GBD 2021 Data: A Quantitative Assessment of Importation Risks to China.

Viruses·2026
Same journal

First Report of <i>Orthonairovirus songlingense</i> in <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> Ticks from Russia.

Viruses·2026
Same journal

Epidemiological and Virological Characteristics of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Jiangsu Province, China, 2024.

Viruses·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Probing RNA Structure with Dimethyl Sulfate Mutational Profiling with Sequencing In Vitro and in Cells
10:34

Probing RNA Structure with Dimethyl Sulfate Mutational Profiling with Sequencing In Vitro and in Cells

Published on: December 9, 2022

4.6K

Evaluating RNA Structural Flexibility: Viruses Lead the Way.

Connor W Fairman1, Andrew M L Lever2, Julia C Kenyon1,2

  • 1Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PH, UK.

Viruses
|November 27, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

RNA molecules exhibit remarkable flexibility, adopting diverse structures for multiple functions. This review highlights advanced techniques for studying viral RNA conformational flexibility and its structure-function relationship.

Keywords:
NMRRNA flexibilityRNA structureRNA virusesSAXSSHAPEproximity ligationsmFRET

More Related Videos

Optical Tweezers to Study RNA-Protein Interactions in Translation Regulation
12:26

Optical Tweezers to Study RNA-Protein Interactions in Translation Regulation

Published on: February 12, 2022

5.3K
Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
18:10

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

29.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Probing RNA Structure with Dimethyl Sulfate Mutational Profiling with Sequencing In Vitro and in Cells
10:34

Probing RNA Structure with Dimethyl Sulfate Mutational Profiling with Sequencing In Vitro and in Cells

Published on: December 9, 2022

4.6K
Optical Tweezers to Study RNA-Protein Interactions in Translation Regulation
12:26

Optical Tweezers to Study RNA-Protein Interactions in Translation Regulation

Published on: February 12, 2022

5.3K
Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
18:10

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

29.7K

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Virology

Background:

  • Understanding RNA structure is challenging due to its conformational flexibility and multifunctionality.
  • Conventional methods have limitations in fully characterizing RNA's dynamic nature.
  • Viral RNA serves as an excellent model for studying RNA structure-function due to its economy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging techniques for elucidating RNA conformational flexibility.
  • To highlight the link between RNA structure and function, particularly in viral systems.
  • To provide an updated perspective on RNA structural analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of diverse biochemical and biophysical techniques applied to RNA.
  • Focus on methods capable of capturing RNA conformational dynamics.
  • Case examples using viral RNA structures and functions.

Main Results:

  • A wide array of novel techniques are now available for RNA structural analysis.
  • RNA's ability to adopt multiple conformations is central to its versatility.
  • Viral RNA demonstrates a tight coupling between its structure and biological function.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced techniques are crucial for understanding the complex conformational landscape of RNA.
  • The study of viral RNA provides key insights into RNA's fundamental properties.
  • Elucidating RNA structure is essential for understanding its diverse biological roles.