Primary,
Secondary, & Tertiary Structures of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
The Primary Structure is the sequence of ribonucleotides
in the molecule. The sequence may be annotated to show
its relationships to Secondary Structure motifs.
In contrast with DNA, the -OH on the 2'-carbon of the ribose sugar in RNA prevents formation of stable double-helices. The SecondarySstructure of rRNA in consequence is a complex pattern of short double-stranded stems [paired according to the same rules as DNA, with the substitution of U for T] interspersed with unpaired single-stranded loops and bubbles. Note that the rRNA structure above is a single, continuous strand H-bonded back on itself, with a 5' beginning and 3' end.
The Tertiary Structure of rRNA is the 3-D folding of this structure with itself amongst a complex of proteins.
In contrast with DNA, the -OH on the 2'-carbon of the ribose sugar in RNA prevents formation of stable double-helices. The SecondarySstructure of rRNA in consequence is a complex pattern of short double-stranded stems [paired according to the same rules as DNA, with the substitution of U for T] interspersed with unpaired single-stranded loops and bubbles. Note that the rRNA structure above is a single, continuous strand H-bonded back on itself, with a 5' beginning and 3' end.
The Tertiary Structure of rRNA is the 3-D folding of this structure with itself amongst a complex of proteins.
Text © 2024 by Steven M. Carr