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Structure of RNA

RNA, or Ribonucleic Acid, is a single-stranded polymer of ribonucleotides with three major types: mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. mRNA serves as the carrier of genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, tRNA is involved in amino acid transport during protein synthesis, and rRNA makes up the majority of cellular RNA and is essential for ribosome formation. Each type of RNA has distinct structures and functions critical for protein synthesis.

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19 views2 pages

Structure of RNA

RNA, or Ribonucleic Acid, is a single-stranded polymer of ribonucleotides with three major types: mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. mRNA serves as the carrier of genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, tRNA is involved in amino acid transport during protein synthesis, and rRNA makes up the majority of cellular RNA and is essential for ribosome formation. Each type of RNA has distinct structures and functions critical for protein synthesis.

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Structure of RNA

• RNA- Ribonucleic Acid

Polymer of ribonucleotides,is a single stranded structure. There are 3 major types- mRNA, t- RNA and
r RNA.

mRNA

• Accounts for 1-5% of total RNA


• Consists of 1000-10,000 nucleotides
• Have free or phosphorylated 31 & 51 ends.
• Eukaryotic mRNA’s are stable than prokaryotic Mrna
• Majority has a primary structure ( single stranded)
• In prokaryotes 51 end of Mrna contains a sequence rich in A & G. This sequence is known as Shine
Dalgarno sequence, which helps in the attachment of mRNA with ribosomes during protein
synthesis
• Some prokaryotic mRNA has secondary structure.
• Eukaryotic mRNA are capped at 51 end. The cap is methylated GTP( 7 methyl GTP ), which
protects the m RNA from nuclease attack
• 31 end of eukaryotes contain a polymer rich in adenylate ( poly A tail) which protects the mRNA
from nuclease attack.

Functions

✓ mRNA is the direct carrier of information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
✓ Genetic information is carried in the mRNA in the form of genetic code
✓ Usually a molecule of mRNA contains informations required for the formation of one protein molecule

t- RNA

• Accounts for 10-15% of the total cellular RNA


• Consists of 50-100 nucleotides

Primary structure

• They are single stranded molecules,contains unusual base pairs 7-15 per molecule

They are methylated adenine, guanine, cytosine, dihydrouracil and pseudouridine ( these are imp for binding of t-
RNA to ribosomes

• Folding of primary structure results in the form of secondary structure.


Secondary structure

• It is in the form of a clover leaf


• Acceptor arm –where aminoacids attached to 31 end of
adenosine moiety of trna .
• TψC arm- Contains sequence of
ribothymidine,pseudouridine and cytidine
• Anticodon arm-which recognizes the codon on Mrna
• Variable arm/Extra arm in between TψC arm and
anticodon arm consists of 3-5 base pairs
• DHU Arm- contains a sequence rich in dihydrouracil

Tertiary structure ( X-ray diffraction studies reveals this structure )

Looks like inverted or tilted “L’ -

The anticodon is at the tip of vertical arm of tilted ‘L’. And acceptor arm is at the tip of horizontal arm of tilted
‘L’. The ‘D’ arm & TψC arm are pushed towards the corner of the tilted ‘L’.

Ribosomal RNA

Ribosomal RNA ( r-RNA )

• This accounts for 80% of total cellular RNA.


• It is present in ribosomes.
• In ribosomes, r-RNA is found in combination with protein ( Ribonucleoprotein )
• Formed of 100-600 nucleotides
Types
Eukaryotes - 4 types- 5, 5.8, 18 and 28 S r- RNA
Prokaryotes – 3 types- 5,16 and 23 S- rRNA

Structure of r-RNA molecules have secondary structure. Intra strand base pairing between
complementary base generates loops known as domains.
Functions
r-RNA are required for the formation of ribosomes
16Sr-RNA is involved in the initiation of protein synthesis.

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