Structure and Role of RNA
Structure
Types of RNA
Role
[Link]
STRUCTURE OF RNA unioffaisalabad
RNA or ribonucleic acid has a structure that is similar to DNA but with some key differences.
Nucleotides: RNA is composed of nucleotides each containing three components
• A ribose sugar (a five-carbon sugar)
• A phosphate group
• A nitrogenous base (which can be adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), or guanine (G))
Single-Stranded: Unlike DNA, which is double-stranded and forms a double helix RNA is
usually single-stranded. This allows it to fold into various shapes, which are crucial for its
functions.
Base Pairing: RNA can form secondary structures through base pairing. For example,
adenine pairs with uracil (instead of thymine as in DNA), and guanine pairs with cytosine.
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
Ribosomal RNA
rRNA are found in association with several proteins as components of the
ribosomes, the complex structures that serve as the sites for protein
synthesis. Prokaryotic cells contain three distinct size species of rRNA (23S,
16S, and 5S)
Together, rRNA make up ∼80% of the total RNA in the cell.
Some RNA function as catalysts, e.g., an rRNA in protein synthesis
RNA with catalytic activity is termed a ribozyme
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
Transfer RNA
Transports specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis,
matching the amino acids to the corresponding codons on the mRNA.
tRNA are the smallest (4S) of the three major types of RNA molecules. There is at
least one specific type of tRNA molecule for each of the 20 amino acids
commonly found in proteins.
Together, tRNA make up ∼15% of the total RNA in the cell.
Each tRNA serves as an adaptor molecule that carries its specific amino acid,
covalently attached to its 3′ end, to the site of protein synthesis.
it recognizes the genetic code sequence on an mRNA, which specifies the
addition of that amino acid to the growing peptide chain.
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
Messenger RNA
Carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a
template for protein synthesis.
mRNA comprises only ∼5% of the RNA in a cell
mRNA is coding RNA in that it carries genetic information from DNA for use in
protein synthesis
An mRNA carrying information from more than one gene is polycistronic (cistron =
gene). Polycistronic mRNA is characteristic of prokaryotes.
mRNA include a long sequence of adenine (A) nucleotides (a poly-A tail) on the 3′
end of the RNA, plus a cap on the 5′ end consisting of a molecule of 7-
methylguanosine attached through an unusual (5′-to-5′) triphosphate linkage
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
[Link]
TRANSCRIPTION: unioffaisalabad
Steps in RNA synthesis
Initiation
Elongation
Termination
Initiation:
The process begins when RNA polymerase binds to a specific region on the DNA called the
promoter. The promoter contains conserved sequences that help RNA polymerase recognize
where to start transcription.
In prokaryotes, the promoter is typically located just upstream of the gene being transcribed.
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
−35 Sequence: A consensus sequence (5′-TTGACA-3
Pribnow box: second consensus sequence (5′-TATAAT-3′), centered at about
−10 which is the site of melting (unwinding) of DNA.
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
Elongation: Once RNA polymerase is bound to the promoter, it unwinds the
DNA and starts synthesizing RNA by adding ribonucleotides complementary
to the DNA template strand. This occurs in the 5' to 3' direction. The RNA
strand grows as RNA polymerase moves along the DNA.
Formation of the Transcription Bubble
RNA Synthesis
Base Pairing
Proofreading
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
Termination:
Transcription continues until RNA polymerase reaches a termination signal
in the DNA, which can be a specific sequence of nucleotides that causes
the polymerase to stop transcription and release the newly synthesized
RNA.
Recognition of Termination Signal: RNA polymerase encounters a
specific sequence of nucleotides in the DNA known as the terminator.
Rho Independent:
Rho Dependent:
[Link]
unioffaisalabad
TUF COMMUNITY YOUTHFUL SPIRIT
LIGHTS UP EVERY CELEBRATION
