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RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

34.0K
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...
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Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends01:35

Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends

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In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps...
10.4K
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

5.8K
The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
5.8K
pre-mRNA Processing02:01

pre-mRNA Processing

53.7K
In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl...
53.7K
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

10.9K
The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...
10.9K
Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

7.9K
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
7.9K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Frontier of mRNA Research with Poly A Tail Analysis Techniques
08:16

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Frontier of mRNA Research with Poly A Tail Analysis Techniques

Published on: January 12, 2024

1.1K

Poly(m6A) tails stabilize transcripts.

Guillaume Lavergne1, Jean-Yves Roignant2

  • 1Center for Integrative Genomics, Génopode Building, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Molecular Cell
|June 6, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Methylation of poly(A) tails in Trypanosoma brucei stabilizes variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) transcripts. This RNA modification protects VSG from immune detection in mammals.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • Trypanosoma brucei evades the mammalian immune system through antigenic variation.
  • Variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) expression is central to this immune evasion strategy.
  • Regulation of VSG mRNA stability is crucial for parasite survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate post-transcriptional modifications of VSG mRNA in Trypanosoma brucei.
  • To elucidate the role of poly(A) tail methylation in VSG transcript stability and immune protection.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of RNA extracted from Trypanosoma brucei.
  • Poly(A) tail characterization techniques.
  • Investigating RNA modification enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of poly(A) tail methylation on VSG transcripts in Trypanosoma brucei.
  • Demonstration that this methylation enhances transcript stability.
  • Evidence suggests this mechanism contributes to immune evasion.

Conclusions:

  • Poly(A) tail methylation is a novel regulatory mechanism for VSG mRNA in Trypanosoma brucei.
  • This modification provides transcript stability and aids in evading the host immune response.
  • Highlights a new avenue for understanding parasite-host interactions.