RNA Editing and Its Mechanisms

These flashcards cover critical concepts related to RNA editing, its mechanisms, and its implications in gene expression.

RNA Editing

Any process, other than splicing, that results in a change in the sequence of an RNA transcript differing from the DNA template.

Capping

The addition of 7-methylguanylate to the 5' end of the RNA.

Polyadenylation

The addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of the RNA.

Splicing

The process of removing introns and joining exons in the RNA sequence.

sncRNAs

Small non-coding RNAs, including siRNAs, miRNAs, and piRNAs that regulate gene expression.

lncRNAs

Long non-coding RNAs, pivotal for transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation.

Base Modification

A type of RNA editing involving the modification of specific nucleotides, such as converting C to U or A to I.

Guide RNA (gRNA)

A small RNA molecule that directs editing by base-pairing with a target RNA to determine the editing site.

ADAR

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNAs that catalyze the deamination of adenosine to inosine.

Inosine

A nucleotide that mimics guanosine in RNA folding and pairs with cytidine during translation.

ApoB100

A human apolipoprotein essential for the removal of LDL in the liver, affected by RNA editing.

A-to-I Editing

The process where adenosine is converted to inosine, affecting RNA stability and protein variants.

Endonuclease

An enzyme that cuts RNA at specific sites, implicated in RNA editing processes.

TUTase

Terminal Uridylyl Transferase, an enzyme involved in RNA editing during U addition.

RNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins two RNA strands together post-editing.

Intron

Non-coding sections of RNA that are removed during the splicing process.

Exon

Coding sections of RNA that are retained after splicing.

Transcription

The process by which DNA is used as a template to synthesize RNA.