title: RNA: versatility in form and function.
abstract: RNA performs a remarkable range of functions in all cells. In addition to its central role in information transfer from DNA to protein, it is essential for functions as diverse as RNA processing, chromosome end-maintenance and dosage compensation. The versatility of RNA derives from its unique ability to use direct readout via base-pairing for sequence specific targeting (or templating) in combination with its capacity to form elaborate three dimensional structures. Such structures can perform catalysis or serve as protein recognition surfaces. In this short review, we attempt to give a flavor for the diversity of functional RNAs in the cell and highlight, using selected examples, two quite distinct activities, catalysis and sequence specific targeting. Within each section, we discuss how the lessons we have learned from these systems may apply to other, less well understood, RNAs.
authors.affiliation: Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. mgc@po.cwru.edu
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caprara
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Nilsen
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA