What is it about?
Long RNAs (mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs) contain functional homoribopolynucleotide (homoribo-oligonucleotide) tracts, which interact with numerous cellular proteins. Depending on pH, ionic conditions and temperature all homoribopolynucleotides can exist in different forms. This review is devoted to structural transitions in poly(A), poly(C), poly(U) and poly(G) and their possible biological roles. In particular, potential mechanisms for the regulation of some biological processes through the formation of intramolecular poly(A) duplexes has been presented.
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Why is it important?
Under physiological conditions poly(A), poly(C) and poly(U) exist in single-stranded states. Although multistranded forms of poly(A) and poly(C) exist only at low pH they can be formed in cell via proton transfer from proteins to nucleotide bases. Also, poly(U) could form hairpins in cell in the presence of certain ligands containing multiple amino groups.
Perspectives
Further studies are necessary on the structural characteristics of the homoribopolynucleotides that help better understand the mechanisms of many important biological processes, which are regulated by homoribopolynucleotide tracts interacting specifically with widespread cellular proteins. Also studies on the homoribopolynucleotide are important for implication them as agents or targets in therapy and in engineering of nanostructures.
Margarita Zarudnaya
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This page is a summary of: Structural transitions in poly(A), poly(C), poly(U) and poly(G) and their possible biological roles, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, July 2018, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2018.1503972.
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