The role of RNA during transcription and translation process
Cells get information stored in the DNA by forming RNA, which is then translated to facilitate direct protein synthesis. RNA is moderately similar to DNA though; it differs with DNA in three ways: it is single-stranded, has uracil that replaces thymine of DNA, and has a ribose sugar. The primary function of RNA is to transfer the information encoded in the DNA.
During the process of DNA transcription and translation, three types of RNA—that is Messenger RNA (mRNA), Ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and Transfer RNA (tRNA)—play crucial roles, especially in the process of protein synthesis. The mRNA is responsible for transferring the coding sequences for protein synthesis from DNA to ribosomes in a three-base code series. This coded information helps in controlling all cellular activities in the cells. The rRNA is a structural component of ribosomes that move adjacent to an mRNA molecule and enhance the proper assembling of amino acids into protein chains. It has an enzymatic activity that acts as a catalyst in the formation of peptide bonds among the assembled amino acids throughout protein synthesis. The ribosomes are structural organelle where the protein synthesis occurs and contains large and small subunits that have rRNA molecules. Finally, tRNA is responsible for binding with amino acids and transferring them to the ribosomes, especially during the translation process, to facilitate the formation of amino acid chains.
Reference
Li, S., Xu, Z., and Sheng, J., 2018. tRNA-derived small RNA: a novel regulatory small non-coding RNA. Genes, 9(5), p.246.
Minchin, S., and Lodge, J., 2019. Understanding biochemistry: structure and function of nucleic acids. Essays in biochemistry, 63(4), pp.433-456.
Moore, P.B., and Steitz, T.A., 2011. The roles of RNA in the synthesis of protein. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, 3(11), p. a003780.