Which of the following are molecules to which ncRNAs commonly bind?
Proteins
DNA
Small molecules
Messenger RNA
Lipids
Carbohydrates
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is Proteins, DNA, and Messenger RNA.
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules that do not code for proteins but play essential roles in regulating gene expression and cellular processes. These molecules typically bind to various biological macromolecules, including proteins, DNA, and messenger RNA (mRNA). Here’s how ncRNAs interact with each of these components:
- Proteins: ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), often bind to specific proteins to regulate their function. For example, miRNAs typically bind to the 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs, which leads to the repression of protein translation or mRNA degradation. Other ncRNAs, like the RNA component of ribonucleoprotein complexes, also bind to proteins to perform various cellular tasks, including splicing, chromatin remodeling, and translation regulation.
- DNA: ncRNAs, particularly lncRNAs, can bind to specific regions of DNA to influence gene expression. Some lncRNAs interact with chromatin and help modify its structure, thereby affecting the accessibility of genes to the transcription machinery. Additionally, some ncRNAs may recruit transcription factors or histone-modifying enzymes to enhance or suppress gene transcription.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA): ncRNAs, such as miRNAs and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), bind to mRNA molecules to regulate gene expression. miRNAs bind to complementary sequences in the mRNA, typically leading to the degradation or translational inhibition of the mRNA. This binding is a crucial part of the gene regulation process, controlling the stability and translation of mRNA in the cell.
While ncRNAs may also interact with small molecules, lipids, and carbohydrates in some specific cases, their most prominent binding partners are proteins, DNA, and mRNA. These interactions enable ncRNAs to perform key regulatory functions within the cell.