"RNA" - what is it, definition of the term
Ribonucleic acid is a polymer composed of ribonucleotides, each containing a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases—adenine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil. Unlike its double‑stranded counterpart, this molecule typically exists as a single strand that can fold into complex secondary structures. It serves as the intermediary between genetic information encoded in DNA and the synthesis of proteins, as well as participating in regulatory and catalytic activities. In laboratory rodents such as rats and mice, ribonucleic acid is extracted to study gene expression patterns, developmental processes, and disease models, providing a basis for comparative molecular biology across species.
Detailed information
Ribonucleic acid is a polymer composed of ribonucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds, forming a single‑stranded chain that can fold into complex secondary structures. In mammalian cells it serves as the intermediary between genomic DNA and protein synthesis, participates in catalytic reactions, and regulates gene expression through diverse mechanisms.
In rodents, ribonucleic acid exhibits tissue‑specific abundance. The liver, brain, and testes contain the highest concentrations, reflecting intensive transcriptional activity during metabolism, neural function, and spermatogenesis. During embryogenesis, maternal ribonucleic acid supplies the early embryo until zygotic transcription initiates, after which rapid accumulation occurs in the developing nervous system and heart.
Key experimental applications in rat and mouse research include:
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR for measuring transcript levels across developmental stages.
- In situ hybridization to localize specific ribonucleic acid molecules within tissue sections.
- RNA interference and CRISPR‑based knockdown of target transcripts to assess gene function.
- Transcriptome profiling by high‑throughput sequencing, enabling identification of alternative splicing events and non‑coding RNA species.
Comparative analysis of ribonucleic acid sequences reveals approximately 95 % nucleotide identity between the two species, with conserved exonic regions and divergent intronic segments. This similarity permits cross‑species primer design while necessitating species‑specific validation for functional studies.
Disease models exploit ribonucleic acid dynamics. In rat models of hypertension, altered expression of specific messenger molecules correlates with vascular remodeling. Mouse models of neurodegeneration demonstrate dysregulated long non‑coding ribonucleic acid transcripts that modulate neuronal survival pathways. Therapeutic strategies targeting these molecules—such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs—have shown efficacy in preclinical trials, informing translational research.