Page 229 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry

Unlike DNA, RNA usually breaks down soon after it’s produced. Kumi, do you
remember what we said about deoxyribose?

It’s the pentose that’s in DNA but not RNA, right?

That’s right! In RNA, a hydroxyl group (2-OH) is attached to the carbon at the
2´ position on each ribose, as shown in the following figure. In DNA, only a
hydrogen is attached, hence the name deoxyribose.

This hydroxyl group in RNA is actually a real troublemaker. The H could
even be considered a biochemical playboy.

P 5´ A U

4´ 1´
3´ 2´
OH

P 5´

4´ 1´
5´ 3´ 2´

OH C

P 5´

3´

The H at the 2’ 4´ 1´ G
position of RNA
is a good-for- 3´ 2´
nothing playboy! OH

P 5´

4´ 1´

3´ 2´

OH

P

Huh?! What a jerk!

(Of course, I would always stay faithful...)

Molecular Biology and the Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids 215