Ribonucleoprotein

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Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) is a nucleoprotein that contains RNA, i.e. it is a compound that combines ribonucleic acid and protein together. It is one of the main components of nucleolus.

RNP is an RNA binding motif in an RNA binding protein. Aromatic amino acid residues in this RNP motif result in stacking interactions with RNA. Lysine residues in the helical portion of RNA binding proteins help to stabilize interactions with nucleic acids. This nucleic acid binding is a result of highly positive nature of lysine side chains and the negative character of nucleic acid phosphate backbones.

Anti-RNP antibodies are linked to mixed connective tissue disease although nearly 40% of Lupus erythematosus patients will be positive for anti-RNP. Also Anti-RNP are closely related to sjogren Syndrome and has two types : SS-A (Ro) and SS-B (La).

RNPs play an important role in Influenzavirus A replication. The viral RNA is transcribed into mRNAs by the RNA polymerase attached to the RNPs.

[edit] List of RNPs

This is a (partial) list of ribonucleoprotein families:

• hnRNP
• snRNP
• Signal recognition particle (a protein coated ribozyme)