MCB 150: The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life - Non-Coding RNAs

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to non-coding RNAs from the lecture notes, emphasizing their functions, examples, and related biological processes.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)

Any type of RNA that does not encode proteins.

Ribonucleoprotein complex

A complex formed when non-coding RNA is found with protein.

Framework

A function of ncRNAs providing structural support for complex formation.

Targeting

The ability of ncRNAs to bind specific nucleic acid sequences.

Protein stability

A function of ncRNAs that can affect the function or stability of proteins.

Catalytic active site

A site created by RNA folding that has catalytic activity.

Binding prevention

The function of ncRNAs that prevents other molecules from binding.

Regulatory ncRNAs

ncRNAs that prevent other ncRNAs from functioning.

HOx Transcript

An example of a non-coding RNA involved in regulatory functions.

Antisense RNA

A type of ncRNA that binds to and can inhibit the expression of complementary RNA.

Intergenic RNA

ncRNA that is found in the regions between genes.

Sense RNA

The strand of RNA that has the same sequence as the coding strand of DNA.

Anti-sense RNA

The strand of RNA complementary to the sense RNA, used in gene regulation.

Fire & Mello Experiment

An experiment demonstrating RNA interference mechanism.

RNA interference (RNAi)

A biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation.

Adaptation Phase

The phase in RNA interference where the system prepares to recognize target RNA.

Expression Phase

The phase in RNA interference where the target RNA is actively silenced.

Interference Phase

The phase in RNA interference where the silencing activity occurs.

PAM Sequences

Protospacer adjacent motif, essential for the function of CRISPR systems.

ncRNA functions

Roles of non-coding RNA, including regulation, catalysis, and structural support.

Gene regulation

The process by which certain genes are turned on or off in a cell.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, which encodes the information for protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA, a key component of the ribosome, involved in protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, responsible for transport of amino acids during protein synthesis.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)

A class of double-stranded RNA molecules, involved in RNA interference.

MicroRNA (miRNA)

Small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression.

CRISPR

A genome editing technology that can modify DNA sequences.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Spliceosome

A complex that removes introns from pre-mRNA during RNA processing.

Exons

Coding segments of RNA or DNA that are expressed in proteins.

Introns

Non-coding segments of RNA or DNA that are removed during processing.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Peptide bond

A bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for an amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that pairs with a complementary codon.

Proteomics

The large-scale study of proteins, particularly their functions and structures.

Genomics

The study of the genome, the complete set of DNA in an organism.

Bioinformatics

The application of computer technology to manage biological information.

Cell signaling

The process by which cells communicate with each other.

Cell division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, a mechanism for eliminating unwanted cells.

Homologous recombination

A process where similar DNA sequences exchange information.

Transposable elements

DNA sequences that can change their position within the genome.

Metagenomics

The study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples.

Synthetic biology

The design and construction of new biological parts and systems.

Decoy Function of ncRNAs

ncRNAs can bind to and sequester other regulatory molecules, preventing them from interacting with their intended targets.

Guide Function of ncRNAs

ncRNAs can direct ribonucleoprotein complexes to specific genomic loci, influencing transcription or chromatin structure.

SnoRNAs (Small Nucleolar RNAs)

ncRNAs primarily involved in guiding chemical modifications of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and small nuclear RNA (snRNA).

snRNAs (Small Nuclear RNAs)

ncRNAs that form part of the spliceosome complex, essential for the splicing of pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) introns.

Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs)

ncRNAs transcribed from enhancer regions, contributing to the regulation of gene expression by modulating enhancer activity.

Scaffold Function of ncRNAs

NcRNAs can provide structural platforms that bring together proteins and other molecules to facilitate specific biochemical reactions or complex assembly.

Ribozyme Function

The ability of certain non-coding RNA molecules to act as enzymes, catalyzing specific biochemical reactions such as RNA splicing or peptide bond formation.

Blocker Function of ncRNAs

Some ncRNAs exert their function by physically obstructing the active sites of enzymes or the binding sites of other molecules, directly inhibiting their activity.