RNA HELICASES Meaning and
Definition
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RNA helicases are enzymes that play a crucial role in various cellular processes, particularly in the metabolism of RNA molecules. These proteins belong to the helicase family, which possesses the ability to disrupt the hydrogen bonds between nucleic acid strands, thereby unwinding the RNA or DNA helix.
Specifically, RNA helicases are responsible for catalyzing the unwinding of RNA helices in an energy-dependent and ATP-dependent manner. They use the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to separate the paired bases of RNA, allowing for the formation of stable secondary structures critical to many essential biological processes.
RNA helicases are involved in several critical cellular functions, including transcription, translation, RNA processing, RNA editing, RNA degradation, and ribosome biogenesis. They participate in these processes by unwinding RNA helices and resolving secondary structures, enabling the movement of RNA polymerases, ribosomes, or other RNA-processing complexes. This unwinding activity permits access to the RNA molecule, facilitating the binding of accessory proteins or enzymes and promoting the progression of various cellular events.
Furthermore, RNA helicases often act as RNA chaperones, guiding the folding and assembly of RNA molecules into their requisite structures. They also participate in RNA quality control mechanisms, recognizing and eliminating aberrant or misfolded RNA molecules. Thus, RNA helicases are indispensable for maintaining the integrity and functionality of RNA molecules within the cell.
In summary, RNA helicases are enzymes that utilize ATP-dependent unwinding activity to disrupt RNA helices, thereby participating in numerous cellular processes essential for gene expression and RNA metabolism.
Common Misspellings for RNA HELICASES
- 5na helicases
- 4na helicases
- rba helicases
- rma helicases
- rja helicases
- rha helicases
- rnz helicases
- rns helicases
- rnw helicases
- rnq helicases
- rna gelicases
- rna belicases
- rna nelicases
- rna jelicases
- rna uelicases
- rna yelicases
- rna hwlicases
- rna hslicases
- rna hdlicases
- rna hrlicases
Etymology of RNA HELICASES
The term "RNA helicases" is derived from the combination of "RNA" and "helicase".
1. RNA: The term "RNA" stands for ribonucleic acid. It is a biomolecule found in all living cells that carries genetic information from DNA to guide protein synthesis. RNA plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including the translation of genetic code into proteins.
2. Helicase: The term "helicase" refers to a class of enzymes that unwind the DNA or RNA double helix structure by breaking the hydrogen bonds between nucleotide base pairs. These enzymes are involved in replication, transcription, translation, and other processes requiring access to DNA or RNA strands.
Together, "RNA helicases" refer to a group of enzymes that specifically unwind or separate the helical structure of RNA molecules, thereby playing a significant role in RNA metabolism and various cellular functions.
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