RNA Biology [Paperback]

Written with biologists, biochemists and other molecular scientists in mind, this volume meets the long-felt need for a textbook dedicated to the topic and recreates the excitement surrounding the scientific revolution sparked by the discovery of RNA interference in 1998. Students and instructors alike will profit from the author's exclusive first-hand knowledge, drawing on his breakthrough discoveries at the Tuschl lab at Rockefeller University.
Gunter Meister abandons the traditionalist treatment of nucleic acids found in most biochemistry and molecular biology texts, adopting instead a modern approach in both concept and scope. The text is divided into three parts, on mRNA, non-coding RNA, and RNomics, and the author addresses the traditional roles of RNA in the transmission and regulation of genetic information, as well as the recently discovered functions of small RNA species in pathogen defense, cell differentiation and higher-level genomic regulation.
All set to become the standard for teaching molecular science to biologists and biochemists.
Preface

PART I: mRNA Biology

INTRODUCTION
RNA Building Blocks
RNA Folding
The RNA World Hypothesis
Functions of RNA
Protein Classes that are Required for RNA Function
TRANSCRIPTION OF PRE-mRNAs
Structure and Organization of Protein Coding Genes
Transcription of mRNAs by RNA Polymerase II
Transcriptional Termination of Pre-mRNAs
Transcription is Coupled to Other mRNA Maturation Steps
Summary
CAPPING OF THE PRE-mRNA 5' END
m7 G-cap Structure
mRNA Capping Enzymes
5' Capping is Coupled to Transcription
5' Cap Binding Proteins
Summary
3' END PROCESSING OF PRE-mRNAs
Polyadenylation Signals
Proteins Involved in 3' End Processing of Pre-mRNAs
3' End PrlÃ5