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AAT Bioquest

Are all DNA molecules protein-coding?

Posted June 22, 2020


Answer

No! Protein-coding DNA, which can be transcribed into mRNA that will be further translated into protein, makes up barely 2% of the human genome; more than 98% of DNA molecules are noncoding. Although non-coding DNA do not provide instructions for making proteins, they may encode for non-coding RNA such as microRNA, ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), or enzymatic RNA molecules called ribozymes. In addition, non-coding DNA plays important roles in regulate cell functions, especially the control of gene activity.

Additional resources

6-ROX glycine *25 uM fluorescence reference solution for PCR reactions*

Nolan, T., Hands, R. E., & Bustin, S. A. (2006). Quantification of mRNA using real-time RT-PCR. Nature protocols, 1(3), 1559.

Perdew, G. H., Heuvel, J. P. V., & Peters, J. M. (2008). Regulation of gene expression. Springer Science & Business Media.

Helixyte™ Green *10,000X Aqueous PCR Solution*