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Pathogen Invasion Influence On RNA

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Pathogen Invasion Influence on RNA Processing and Genetic Expression RNA processing is the process by which an RNA strand is modified, such that it is compatible for translation into a protein. RNA is synthesized from DNA during a process called transcription, a step in which an RNA copy of a DNA sequence is made. After the RNA strand is created, within the nucleus, the RNA is transferred into the cytoplasm of the cell where it can be translated into a genetic code that the cell can interpret and turn into proteins. The ribosomes of the cell are responsible for the synthesizing of the proteins from the RNA information. The process of protein synthesis is important to the central dogma of biology; the fact that DNA becomes RNA, which in turn …show more content…

The innate immune response uses so-called pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), which recognize specific molecular patterns that are inevitable for the survival of a pathogen (Licht and Jantsch). This response allows for the organisms to combat a pathogen, while not causing harm to the organism. However, one of the most intriguing questions is how PRRs distinguish “self” from “nonself.” Here, A-to-I editing plays a key role, since A-to-I editing represses nucleic acid–induced inflammation signaling and discriminates self from nonself dsRNA (Licht and Jantsch). The dsRNA is a virus in which the genetic material on its core is a double stranded RNA. The dsRNA viruses replicate in the cytoplasm, and their replication is monocistronic, ergo it is a type of messenger RNA that can only encode one polypeptide per RNA molecule. The RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 has recently emerged as a key regulator that prevents innate immune pathway activation from inducing interferon in response to double-stranded RNA structures within endogenous RNAs. Interferons, which are generally secreted from the cell that detects the foreign RNA, are soluble alarm signals that set up a latent anti-viral state in neighboring cells by inducing the expression of scores of interferon stimulated genes. Viral sequences are edited differently from cellular RNAs, which can lead to increased …show more content…

non-self-recognition is a vital area of investigation within the world of biology. The ability of RNAs to read sequences by base-pairing and to interact with proteins bases on sequence and non-sequence substructure provides this nucleic acid a plethora of ways to act in the recognition of genomes and their products. This allows for the RNA to combat the pathogens without allowing harm to befall itself. It would not be surprising to encounter completely new systems lurking in our cells or in the pathogens that invade them. In addition to its fundamental importance, the understanding of the role of RNA in self vs. non-self-recognition has vital applications to human

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