Genome complexity: RNA shape dictates functionality (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, May 08, 2020, 00:38 (1660 days ago) @ David Turell

Finally able to see exact structural shape:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/taking-a-look-at-rna-s-structure?utm_source=Cosmos+-...

"RNA molecules have a two-dimensional structure that influences how the genetic information contained within them can be accessed.

“'The big question in RNA biology has been whether RNA molecules have a single, constant structure, or whether they can shift between different structures – and what this means for the function of a particular RNA molecule,” says WEHI’s Vincent Corbin.

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"Some viruses use RNA for their genome, including HIV and SARS-CoV2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19). In the case of HIV, RNA splicing influences which protein the virus produces – which changes at different stages of the virus’s lifecycle.

“'Using the HIV genome as a model system, we looked at whether RNA structure influences how HIV’s RNA is spliced,” says Corbin. “We discovered that RNA structure was a critical determinant of RNA splicing in HIV and influenced which viral proteins were produced.

“'This is the first clear evidence of how RNA structure can control RNA function. The techniques we have developed have opened up a new field of research into the role of RNA structure in regulating the function of cells.'”

Comment: Another layer of information is coded into the structural shape.