Pseudouridine is an isomer of uridine, the most abundant modified nucleoside found in non-coding RNA. It plays a crucial role in fine-tuning and stabilizing regional structures in rRNA and tRNA, essential for mRNA decoding, ribosome assembly, processing, and translation. This modification provides an additional hydrogen bond donor at its non-Watson-Crick edge, giving it distinct chemical properties and maintaining its function as the 'fifth nucleotide' across all phylogenetic domains of life.
- Most abundant modified nucleoside in non-coding RNA.
- Essential for mRNA decoding, ribosome assembly, processing, and translation.
- Provides an additional hydrogen bond donor.
- Present across all phylogenetic domains of life.
- Modified tRNA fragments may inhibit aberrant protein synthesis.
- Stabilizes RNA and improves base stacking.