Non-coding RNA

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Non-coding RNA

Non-coding RNA (pronunciation: non-koh-ding ar-en-ay) or ncRNA is a type of RNA that does not encode for protein synthesis. The term is used to differentiate it from the messenger RNA (mRNA) which is involved in the process of translating genetic information into proteins.

Etymology

The term "non-coding RNA" is derived from the fact that these RNA molecules do not have the ability to code for proteins. The prefix "non-" means "not" in Latin, and "coding" refers to the process of translating genetic information into proteins. The abbreviation "ncRNA" is a shortened form of "non-coding RNA".

Types of Non-coding RNA

There are several types of non-coding RNAs, each with their own specific functions. These include:

  • Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): This is the most abundant type of RNA in the cell, and it plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.
  • Transfer RNA (tRNA): This type of RNA is involved in the process of translating the genetic code from mRNA into a chain of amino acids to form a protein.
  • Small nuclear RNA (snRNA): This type of RNA is involved in various processes such as splicing of pre-mRNA.
  • MicroRNA (miRNA): These are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.
  • Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA): These are longer RNA molecules that are involved in various cellular processes such as X-chromosome inactivation and genomic imprinting.

Related Terms

  • RNA: Ribonucleic acid, a molecule similar to DNA that plays a crucial role in various biological roles.
  • Protein: Large biomolecules that perform a vast array of functions within organisms.
  • Gene expression: The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.
  • Genomic imprinting: An epigenetic phenomenon by which certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.

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