Ribonucleic acid (single-stranded) (RNA)

Single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) refers to a nucleic acid polymer composed of ribonucleotides linked by phosphodiester bonds, typically forming a single linear chain rather than a double helix. RNA molecules are usually much shorter and less stable than DNA and utilize ribose as the sugar and uracil instead of thymine for base-pairing. Single-stranded RNA is a central intermediate in gene expression, acting as messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA), and also functions in regulatory (e.g., microRNA, siRNA) and catalytic (ribozyme) roles within the cell. Furthermore, many viruses use single-stranded RNA as their genetic material. It has become a crucial focus in biomedical science, especially as a therapeutic target in antiviral and gene-silencing strategies[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].

Other names

single-stranded RNARNAribonucleic acid

Inhibition of viral RNA polymerases - RNA interference (RNAi) leading to mRNA cleavage or translational repression - Blocking translation via antisense mechanisms[4]