Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2025
10:27
In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
1.5K
Exploring RNA modifications in infectious non-coding circular RNAs.
Pavel Vopalensky1, Anton Škríba1, Michela Chiumenti2
1Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS, Prague 6, Czechia.
RNA Biology
|January 30, 2025
Summary
Viroids are plant pathogens made of RNA. Researchers found methylation (m⁶A) in citrus exocortis viroid, potentially impacting its replication, but not in avocado sunblotch viroid.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- RNA biology
Background:
- Viroids are small, circular, non-coding RNA pathogens in plants.
- Their replication relies on host cell machinery, raising questions about RNA modifications.
- Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) and citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) represent nuclear and chloroplast-replicating viroids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate RNA modifications in ASBVd and CEVd.
- To determine if RNA modifications influence viroid biology and replication.
Main Methods:
- Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
- Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) direct RNA sequencing.
- SELECT method for modification site confirmation.
Main Results:
- No RNA modifications were detected in ASBVd.
- Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) showed approximately one N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) per RNA molecule.
- Two conserved m⁶A positions (A353 and A360) were identified in CEVd, located in a region potentially involved in replication.
Conclusions:
- RNA methylation (m⁶A) is present in CEVd but not ASBVd.
- Identified m⁶A sites in CEVd are conserved and located in a functionally significant region.
- Methylation may play a role in the replication of nuclear-replicating viroids like CEVd.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Types of RNA
5.6K
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...
RNA Performs Diverse...
5.6K
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
8.5K
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...
8.5K
01:23RNA Interference
25.9K
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.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
25.9K
01:53RNA Stability
33.2K
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...
33.2K
02:53Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
13.1K
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,...
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,...
13.1K
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
16.5K
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
16.5K