Studying RNA activity (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, October 13, 2014, 14:53 (3475 days ago)

The entire article is a stunning example of how we now can get right into the cell and follow one molecule. At my level of interest I just skimmed it to get a flavor of the work involved. Note the opening comment about dogma. It is dying under the weight of these techniques, and we are supposed to accept random development of these cell processes:-http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/41015/title/Capturing-Complexes/-"RNAs are molecules with a wide-ranging repertory, acting in roles that frequently defy dogma and resist being neatly classified into well-defined categories. Once thought of as simply passive intermediates involved in the translation of genes into proteins, RNAs are now known to exist in myriad forms that perform a variety of important biological functions. They can regulate gene expression or catalyze biochemical reactions, jobs once thought to be carried out only by proteins. The job description of some RNAs can also include defending genomes against foreign nucleic acids and controlling genome organization and stability.
 
"However, one thing that all RNAs are believed to do is function through interactions with proteins. Figuring out the details of these interactions, such as when and where they take place, can provide important clues about the roles of coding and noncoding RNAs, which may help to uncover previously unknown functions of the ubiquitous molecules. The Scientist spoke with a few of the experts developing and using techniques to probe RNA-protein complexes. Here, we bring you insight into some of the latest advances for studying such interactions.
 
"Getting a GrIP on RNA-protein Complexes
 
"One of the most common methods for studying the RNA-protein interactions that occur in vivo uses antibodies to fish out a protein of interest—along with any RNAs bound to it—from cell or tissue extracts."