2'-o-methylation

Definition

2'-o-methylation is a chemical modification of RNA molecules where a methyl group is added to the 2' hydroxyl group of the ribose sugar. This modification is significant as it plays a role in RNA stability, processing, and function, often enhancing the structural integrity of RNA and influencing its interactions with proteins and other molecules.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 2'-o-methylation is commonly found in various types of RNA, including rRNA, tRNA, and snRNA, contributing to their stability and function.
2. This modification helps prevent degradation by ribonucleases, making RNA molecules more resilient to enzymatic attacks.
3. 2'-o-methylation can affect the secondary structure of RNA, which is crucial for its proper functioning and interactions with other biomolecules.
4. In some cases, 2'-o-methylation plays a role in distinguishing self from non-self RNA, which is important for immune responses.
5. This modification is catalyzed by specific methyltransferase enzymes that recognize RNA substrates and add the methyl group at the 2' position.

Review Questions

• How does 2'-o-methylation impact the stability and function of RNA molecules?
  • 2'-o-methylation enhances the stability of RNA by adding a methyl group to the 2' hydroxyl group of the ribose sugar. This modification protects RNA from degradation by ribonucleases and helps maintain its structural integrity. Additionally, it can influence how RNA interacts with proteins and other molecules, ultimately affecting its function in processes like translation and splicing.
• In what ways does 2'-o-methylation distinguish self from non-self RNA in cellular processes?
  • 2'-o-methylation helps cells recognize their own RNA by marking it with specific modifications that are absent in foreign or viral RNA. This distinction is vital for immune responses, where the cell can target non-self RNA for degradation while protecting its own methylated RNA. The presence of 2'-o-methyl groups signals to the cell that the RNA is part of its native machinery, which helps maintain homeostasis and prevent autoimmunity.
• Evaluate the role of methyltransferase enzymes in the process of 2'-o-methylation and how they affect gene expression.
  • Methyltransferase enzymes are crucial for 2'-o-methylation as they catalyze the addition of methyl groups to the 2' position of ribose sugars in RNA. By modifying RNA this way, these enzymes help regulate gene expression by enhancing mRNA stability and processing. This means that when specific transcripts are modified through 2'-o-methylation, they can be more efficiently translated into proteins, thereby influencing cellular functions and responses to environmental signals.

Related terms

RNA Editing: The process by which the nucleotide sequence of RNA is altered after transcription, resulting in a different sequence than that encoded by the DNA.

Capping: The addition of a modified guanine nucleotide at the 5' end of mRNA, which protects RNA from degradation and assists in ribosome binding during translation.

Splicing: The process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and joining exons together to form a mature mRNA molecule.