Transfer RNA-like structures (tRNA-like structures) are

RNA Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes. RNA and deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) are nucleic acids. Along with lipids, proteins, and carbohydra ...

sequences, which have a similar tertiary structure to tRNA; they frequently contain a

pseudoknot __NOTOC__ A pseudoknot is a nucleic acid secondary structure containing at least two stem-loop structures in which half of one stem is intercalated between the two halves of another stem. The pseudoknot was first recognized in the turnip yellow ...

close to the 3' end. The presence of tRNA-like structures has been demonstrated in many plant virus RNA genomes. These tRNA-like structures are linked to regulation of plant virus replication. tRNA-like structures mimic some tRNA function, such as

aminoacylation Aminoacylation is the process of adding an aminoacyl group to a compound. See also *Acylation * tRNA aminoacylation *Transfer RNA-like structures Transfer RNA-like structures (tRNA-like structures) are RNA sequences, which have a similar tertiar ...

. There are three

specificities,

valine Valine (symbol Val or V) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an α-amino group (which is in the protonated −NH3+ form under biological conditions), an α- carboxylic acid group (which is in the deprotonat ...

histidine Histidine (symbol His or H) is an essential amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an α-amino group (which is in the protonated –NH3+ form under biological conditions), a carboxylic acid group (which is in the de ...

and

tyrosine -Tyrosine or tyrosine (symbol Tyr or Y) or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine is one of the 20 standard amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. It is a non-essential amino acid with a polar side group. The word "tyrosine" is from the Gr ...

. For example, valine binds to the tRNA-like structure of the turnip yellow mosaic virus genome whilst tyrosine binds to the tRNA-like structure of the barley stripe mosaic virus genome. tRNA-like structures which lack the 3' termini lack complete or partial tRNA mimicry. tRNA-like structures are required for RNA encapsulation and increase RNA stability. They also act as 3'-translational enhancers and regulators of minus strand synthesis.

References

{{reflist RNA Gene expression Cis-regulatory RNA elements