Nucleic Acids Structure and Functions
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1. The document outlines the structure and function of nucleic acids DNA and RNA. 2. Key points covered include the central dogma of molecular biology, the Watson-Crick structure of DNA, types of RNA like mRNA, tRNA and rRNA, and their roles in gene expression and protein synthesis. 3. The document also discusses properties of nucleic acids like denaturation and reannealing of DNA as well as unique features of eukaryotic mRNA.
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Nucleic Acids Structure and Functions
- 1. Nucleic Acids Structure and Function Dr. Atif H. Khirelsied Department of Biochemistry p y Faculty of Medicine International University of Africa y atifkhirelsied@gmail
- 2. The learning objectives g j By the end of this session the student should be able to: By the end of this session the student should be able to: 1. 1 Outline the molecular structure of DNA and RNA. Outline the molecular structure of DNA and RNA 2. Explain the significance of specific base pairing. 3. 3 Define the main properties of DNA. D fi th i ti f DNA 4. Define the central dogma of molecular biology. 5. Distinguish between single‐ stranded and double‐stranded nucleic acids. 6. Explain the meaning of denaturation and re‐annealing of DNA. 6 E l i h i fd i d li f DNA
- 3. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) • DNA: is the store of the genetic information DNA: is the store of the genetic information. • It is the principal regulator of the cell physiology It is the principal regulator of the cell physiology. • DNA contains the instructions for creation and functioning of the organism, it acts as; of the organism it acts as; Template for replication. Codes for proteins.
- 6. The Watson‐Crick structure of DNA 1. It is a double‐stranded right‐handed helix. helix 2. Each strand is is a polymer of 2‐ . ach strand is is a polymer of deoxyribonucleotides linked by 3'‐ 5'phosphodiester links. 3. The nitrogenous bases in the nucleotides of DNA are A,G,C,T. nucleotides of DNA are A G C T 4. The bases in the two complementary p y strands are specifically paired and held together by hydrogen bonds.
- 7. The Watson‐Crick structure of DNA 5. The two strands are polar and anti‐ parallel . 6. The bases are planner and The bases are planner and perpendicular to the axis of the DNA molecules. 7. The width of the DNA molecules is 2 nm (20 A ), and the height of the helical (20 A°) and the height of the helical turn is 3.4 nm (34 A°). 8. The genetic information resides in the sequence of bases in the DNA strands.
- 12. The structure of DNA • DNA exists as circular molecule in some organisms such as bacteria, bacteriophages, and many DNA‐containing animal viruses. viruses Chromosome (DNA) of eukaryotic Circular DNA molecule of bacteria
- 13. DNA denaturation of Denaturation is the melting of double stranded DNA to generate two single DNA t t t i l strands.
- 14. The denaturation of DNA • Denaturation may result from: – Heating above its Tm. – High pH – Organic solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide). – Lowering the salt conc. of the DNA solution g • Viscosity of DNA solutions decreases on denaturation. y • Hyperchromicity (increased absorbance of UV on Hyperchromicity (increased absorbance of UV on denaturation)
- 15. The Reannealing of DNA • R Reannealing is the reformation of the double stranded li i th f ti f th d bl t d d DNA. • Viscosity of DNA solutions increases on reannealing. • Hyporchromicity (decreased absorbance of UV on reannealing)
- 16. The RNA structure differs from that of DNA The RNAs are polymers of ribonucleotides linked together by 3'‐5' phosphodiester bonds. RNAs share many structural features with DNA but have some specific characteristics, these are: – it is usually single rather than double stranded it is usually single rather than double stranded – it contains ribose rather than deoxyribose – it contains the base uracil rather than thymine it contains the base uracil rather than thymine
- 17. The types of RNA yp 1. Messenger RNAs (mRNAs). 1 M RNA ( RNA ) ( ) 2. Transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Prokaryotes and eukaryotes 3. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). 4. 4 small nuclear RNA (snRNA). ll l RNA ( RNA) 5. microRNA (miRNA). Only in eukaryotes Only in eukaryotes 6. small interfering RNA (siRNA)
- 19. The messenger RNA (mRNA) g ( ) • Heterogeneous in size and stability. • Carries the codons specifying amino acid sequences in proteins • Act as templates for protein synthesis.
- 22. Eukaryotic mRNAs have several unique properties y q p p 1. The 5'‐terminal is capped by 7‐methylguanosine 1 Th 5' t i l i db 7 th l i triphosphate. 2. Has poly(A) “tail” in the 3'‐terminals. 7‐mG A‐A‐A‐A‐A‐A‐A mRNA
- 23. Eukaryotic mRNAs have several unique properties y q p p Eukaryotics is synthesized as pre‐mRNA (heteronuclear RNA) which contain intervening regions (Introns).
- 24. Transfer RNA (tRNA) • They are the smallest RNAs They are the smallest RNAs. • Fold into tertiary structure by Fold into tertiary structure by formation of intra‐molecular base pairs . • Have clover leaf shape (hair‐pin). • Transfer amino acids into the ribosomes. ribosomes • Act as an adaptor molecule. Act as an adaptor molecule.
- 25. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) • Have structural and catalytic functions. Have structural and catalytic functions. • They have a ribozyme function, the 28S rRNA catalyze the synthesis of peptide bonds (peptidyl transferase).
- 26. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) • It is a nucleoprotein particle. • The mammalian ribosome, has a sedimentation velocity of 80S (Svedberg units). • C i Consists of large 60S and fl 60S d small 40S subunits.
- 27. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) • A large number of highly conserved small stable molecules of RNA found in eukaryotic cells. • The majority of them exists as nucleoproteins distributed in both the nucleus and the cytosol. • They are involved in mRNA processing and gene regulation.
- 28. microRNA (miRNA) • Are short RNA molecules found in eukaryotic cells. • Have very few nucleotides (an average of 22) compared with other RNAs. h • Have multiple roles in regulation of gene expression. Have multiple roles in regulation of gene expression
- 29. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) Also known as short interfering RNA or silencing RNA g g Are double‐stranded RNA molecules Have 20‐25 nucleotides in length They interfere with the expression of a specific gene.