Ribosomal RNA

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules form the structural and catalytic core of ribosomes. They position messenger RNA and transfer RNA and catalyze peptide-bond formation during translation.

Peptidyl transferase center: The ribosomal active site that catalyzes peptide-bond formation between amino acids. This catalytic site is made primarily of rRNA in the large ribosomal subunit.
16S ribosomal RNA: The small-subunit rRNA found in bacteria and many archaea. It helps decode messenger RNA and is a major component of the prokaryotic small subunit.
RNA world: A hypothesis that early life relied on RNA for both information storage and catalysis. The catalytic and informational roles of rRNA are relevant to this proposed early stage of life.
16S rRNA sequencing: A method that identifies and compares bacteria by sequencing regions of their 16S rRNA genes. The gene's conserved and variable regions make it useful for bacterial identification.
Ribosomal protein synthesis: The production of ribosomal proteins by cellular translation machinery. Ribosomal proteins are translated products, whereas rRNA is transcribed and forms part of the machinery.
Ribosome: A ribonucleoprotein complex that translates messenger RNA into a protein. Ribosomal RNA and proteins assemble into this molecular machine.
23S ribosomal RNA: The large-subunit rRNA found in bacteria and many archaea. It forms much of the large subunit's catalytic core.
Ribosomal RNA gene: A DNA sequence that is transcribed to produce ribosomal RNA. Cells produce rRNA by transcribing dedicated genes.
Metagenomics: The study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental or host-associated samples. Ribosomal RNA gene sequencing can survey microbes in samples without culturing them.
Ribozyme: An RNA molecule that catalyzes a chemical reaction. Ribosomal RNA is a natural example of catalytic RNA within a larger molecular complex.

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