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Nucleic acid tertiary structure
Three-dimensional shape of a nucleic acid polymer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nucleic acid tertiary structure is the three-dimensional shape of a nucleic acid polymer.[1] RNA and DNA molecules are capable of diverse functions ranging from molecular recognition to catalysis. Such functions require a precise three-dimensional structure. While such structures are diverse and seemingly complex, they are composed of recurring, easily recognizable tertiary structural motifs that serve as molecular building blocks. Some of the most common motifs for RNA and DNA tertiary structure are described below, but this information is based on a limited number of solved structures. Many more tertiary structural motifs will be revealed as new RNA and DNA molecules are structurally characterized.
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This article is about tertiary structure in nucleic acid. For the article about tertiary structure in protein, see Protein tertiary structure.