FREPs

FREPs, or Functional RNA Elements, are specific sequences within RNA molecules that play a crucial role in their function. Unlike the protein-coding regions of mRNA, which are translated into amino acid chains, FREPs are involved in regulating gene expression, catalyzing biochemical reactions, or acting as structural components of ribonucleoprotein complexes. These elements can be found in various types of RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).

The functionality of FREPs arises from their unique three-dimensional structures, which are determined by their nucleotide sequences and base-pairing interactions. These structures allow FREPs to interact with other molecules, including proteins, DNA, and other RNA molecules, thereby mediating a wide range of cellular processes. For instance, certain FREPs in mRNA can act as binding sites for regulatory proteins that control translation or mRNA stability. In non-coding RNAs, FREPs are often the core functional units responsible for their diverse roles in gene silencing, RNA processing, and epigenetic regulation. Understanding FREPs is essential for comprehending gene regulation at the post-transcriptional level and for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting RNA function.