Non-Coding RNAs and Gene Regulation

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to non-coding RNAs, gene regulation, RNA interference, and related molecular biology topics.

Non-Coding RNAs (ncRNAs)

RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins but have various regulatory and structural functions.

RNA World Hypothesis

The hypothesis suggesting that RNA functioned as the first macromolecule to carry information and catalyze reactions.

Protobiont

A precursor to living cells, consisting of aggregates of molecules and macromolecules.

Ribozymes

RNA molecules that have catalytic properties and can act as enzymes.

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs)

RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that have regulatory roles.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)

Short RNA molecules, typically 20-25 nucleotides long, that inhibit gene expression by targeting mRNA for degradation with perfect complementarity, often originating from exogenous double-stranded RNA.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs)

Short non-coding RNA molecules, typically 20-23 nucleotides long, that regulate gene expression by base-pairing with imperfectly complementary sequences in mRNA, primarily leading to translational repression.

Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) RNA

RNA involved in the targeting of proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Telomerase RNA

An RNA component of the telomerase enzyme that adds repetitive sequences to the ends of chromosomes.

Xist RNA

A long non-coding RNA that plays a key role in X-chromosome inactivation in females.

Antisense RNA

RNA that is complementary to a sense (coding) RNA, often functioning in regulation of gene expression.

RNA interference (RNAi)

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

Decoy RNA

A type of non-coding RNA that binds to regulatory molecules to prevent them from interacting with their target.

DsrA RNA

Trans-acting ncRNA that positively and negatively regulates translation in bacteria.

HOTAIR RNA

A long non-coding RNA that regulates chromatin structure and gene expression.

CRISPR

A system used by bacteria and archaea to defend against viral infection, involving sequences that recognize past infections.

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA)

A class of small RNA that interacts with PIWI proteins to silence transposable elements.

Drosha

An enzyme that processes primary miRNAs into precursor miRNAs.

Dicer

An enzyme that processes precursor miRNAs and siRNAs into functional small RNAs.

RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex)

A complex that incorporates siRNAs or miRNAs to mediate gene silencing.

Cas proteins

CRISPR-associated proteins involved in the adaptive immune response in bacteria.

Transposable Elements (TEs)

Segments of DNA that can move within a genome and can influence mutation and evolution.

Exon shuffling

A phenomenon where transposable elements insert exons into coding sequences, potentially creating new genes.

snRNA (small nuclear RNA)

RNA involved in the splicing of mRNA and processing of pre-mRNA.

snoRNA (small nucleolar RNA)

RNA that guides the modification of rRNAs and helps in ribosome assembly.

Scaffold ncRNAs

ncRNAs that provide a framework for the binding of proteins and formation of complexes.

Peptidyl transferase

The enzymatic activity of rRNA in the ribosome that forms peptide bonds between amino acids.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Functional RNAs

Any type of RNA that has a biological function beyond encoding proteins.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template, utilized by retroviruses.

Antisense technology

A technique involving the inhibition of gene expression by introducing antisense RNA.

Covalent modifications of rRNA

Chemical changes made to ribosomal RNA to enhance its function and stability.

Base-pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids that follows A-T and C-G rules.

miRNA biogenesis

The process of creation of microRNAs from precursor transcripts.

Shine-Dalgarno sequence

A ribosomal binding site in bacterial mRNA that initiates translation.

Hfq protein

A bacterial protein that facilitates the regulation of gene expression by interacting with small RNAs.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA that makes up the ribosome and catalyzes protein synthesis.

Genetic regulation

The control of gene expression levels using various molecular mechanisms.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of DNA wrapped around histone proteins, important in gene regulation.

Histone modification

Chemical changes to histones that can affect gene expression and chromatin structure.

Chromatin remodeling

The dynamic modification of the structure of chromatin that regulates gene access.

mRNA splicing

The process by which introns are removed and exons are joined to form mature mRNA.

Gene therapy

A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or cure disease.

Synthetic biology

An interdisciplinary field that combines biology and engineering, focusing on redesigning organisms.

Biotechnology

Use of living systems and organisms to develop or create products, often involving genetic manipulation.

Gene editing

The direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology.

DNA sequencing

The process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule.

Proteomics

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

Metabolomics

The study of the metabolites in a biological organism.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

Variations at a single base pair in DNA that may affect how humans develop diseases.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A method used to amplify small segments of DNA.

Cloning

The process of creating identical copies of an organism or DNA fragment.

Viral vectors

Using viruses as vehicles to deliver genetic material into cells.

Gene expression profiling

The measurement of the activity of thousands of genes at once.

Next-generation sequencing

A technology that allows for the rapid sequencing of large amounts of DNA.

Biomarker

A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is indicative of a condition.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that can give rise to various cell types.

Cell differentiation

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.

Cell signaling pathways

Complex networks of molecules that work together to regulate cellular functions.

Protein folding

The process by which a protein achieves its functional shape or conformation.

Transcription factors

Proteins that regulate the transcription of genes by binding to specific DNA sequences.

Signal transduction

The process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that may produce variations in a trait.

Mendelian inheritance

The pattern of inheritance characterized by segregation and independent assortment.

Genetic drift

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies in a population.

Natural selection

The process through which species evolve over time due to traits that are advantageous for survival.

Evolutionary biology

The study of the origin and descent of species through changes over time.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Ecological interaction

Relationships between organisms that can affect their survival and reproduction.

Population genetics

The study of the distribution and change in frequency of alleles within populations.

Phylogenetics

The study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities often using genetic sequences.

Transcriptome

The complete set of RNA transcripts produced by the genome at any one time.

Cross-talk

Interactions between different signaling pathways.

Carcinogenesis

The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells.

Apoptosis

A process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.

Immune response

The reaction of the immune system against pathogens.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects.

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs large particles or cells.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation.

Bioluminescence

The emission of light by living organisms.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with CO2 and water.

Respiration

The metabolic process of converting food into energy.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

Symbiosis

Interactions between different species that live in close physical proximity.

Migration

The movement of organisms from one habitat to another.

Endangered species

Species that are at risk of extinction.

Conservation biology

The study of the preservation of biodiversity.

Climate change

Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate.

Ecosystem services

The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, including clean water and pollination.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.

Genomic imprinting

A genetic phenomenon by which certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.

Genetic mapping

The process of determining the location of genes on a chromosome.

Gene cloning

The process of making copies of a specific gene.

Pharmaceutical biology

The study of drugs and their effects on living systems.