Structure of different types of RNA
RNA in solution is dynamic molecules in solution. They undergo changes in conformation during synthesis, processing and functioning. RNA (Ribo nucleic acid) molecule exist as three different forms namely,
(a) Primary structure
(b) Secondary structure
(c) Tertiary structure
Unlike DNA, RNA molecules in primary structure are single stranded linear polymer containing nucleotides joined by phosphodiester linkage. The linkage of the ribonucleotides in RNA is 3’5’ phosphodiester link involve 3’-OH group
of ribose and 5’-phosphate group of another ribonucleotide. In eukaryotes the length of RNA molecule ranges from 65 nucleotides to 6000 nucleotides. In secondary structure the single stranded RNA molecule may have double helical regions formed by hydrogen bonding between complimentary base sequences within the RNA molecule. In tertiary structure the association of RNA with proteins enables the RNA molecule to be stable and also fold into specific conformations. The “L shaped” conformation of the tRNA conformations held in position not only by the base pairing interactions but also other interactions.
RNA exist mainly as 3 major types namely:
(a) mRNA
(b) tRNA
(c) rRNA
