2'-O-methylation

2'-O-Methylation

2'-O-methylation (2'-O-Me) is a common

This modification is able to stabilize the structure of RNA while preventing it from undergoing hydrolysis as the hydroxyl group is replaced.[2] RNA is a short lived molecule and each of the types vary in its longevity in the cell. Ribosomal RNA exists longer in the cell before degradation so utilizing 2'-O-Met would aid in stabilizing its structure. The epitranscriptomics of this particular RNA modification occurs post-translation, causing a change in the resulting protein without the DNA being altered.^[7]

Having chemical properties intermediate between RNA and DNA, 2'-O-methylation is presumed to have been one of the reactive group of RNA molecules on early Earth that would have given rise to DNA.^[8]

See also

• Nucleic acid analogue
• Small nucleolar RNA

References

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