Question

What is the non-coding RNA commonly used in metagenomics analysis?

Answer 1

Answer:

RNA is produced in the cell as a result of transcription of DNA. The resulting RNA molecule can take part in translation and thus is said to be a coding RNA.

However, certain RNA molecules are not translated into proteins, and such RNA molecules are called non-coding RNA. Examples of non-coding RNA include miRNA, tRNA, rRNA, riboswitch, ribozymes, etc.

Non-coding RNA molecules can thus be defined as those RNA molecules which do not code for any protein. They perform regulatory functions and are widely used in metagenomics.

(Metagenomics is the study of genomes of a group of microorganisms found in an environmental sample, like soil.)