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RNA
RNA
Basudha Rani
M.Sc(Zoology) Ist Yr
6/3/15
RNA(Ribonucleicacid)
Structure: Similar to that of DNA except:
1- it is single stranded polunucleotide chain.
2- Sugar is ribose
3- Uracil is instead of thymine
There are 3 types of RNA:
1- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
2- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
3- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
RNA are copies from DNA sequences formed by a process called
transcription. After transcription some modifications occur to obtain the
three types of RNA.
Structure of tRNA
Funtions of tRNA
Transcription
RNA is a complementary copy from DNA template except uracil is
instead of thymine.
The process of RNA synthesis from DNA template is called:
transcription and occurs in nucleus.
The enzyme responsible for transcription is RNA polymerase
Steps in RNA synthesis: (Watch Movie)
1) Initiation:
In contrast to DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase does not need a
primer to begin synthesis. Here the transcription is initiated by
the binding of RNA polymerase to a specific region of DNA double
helix. This site is called promoter site or promoter region.
This region is recognized by sigma factor (subunit) of RNA
polymerase.
When RNA polymerase recognizes this region, it binds to it leading
to a local unwinding (separation) of the promoter region into 2
single strands:
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Notes:
1- The synthesized RNA will have the sequence of the sense strand
except for U instead of T.
2- In prokaryotic (bacteria) all types of RNA are synthesized by only one
species of RNA polymerase.
3- In Eukaryotic ( mammaians), there are 3 classes of RNA polymerase
a- RNA polymerase I: synthesizes the precursor of rRNA named : pre
rRNA
b- RNA polymerase II: synthesizes pre mRNA
c- RNA polymerase III: synthesizes pre tRNA
All these enzymes synthesize what is called primary transcript or
immature RNAs (pre form) which by some modifications occur after
transcription, will give the mature rRNA, mRNA and tRNA.
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2- In rRNA:
pre rRNA is a long RNA that is cleaved into the normal sized rRNA
species ( 5.8s, 18s and 28s). 5s species is synthesized separately.
See hand out.
3- In tRNA:
a- addition of CCA sequence to 3 end of pre tRNA
b- modification of bases to give unusual base
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Thank you
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6/3/15