Chemicals and Drugs

RNA Caps

Nucleic acid structures found on the 5' end of eukaryotic cellular and viral messenger RNA and some heterogeneous nuclear RNAs. These structures, which are positively charged, protect the above specified RNAs at their termini against attack by phosphatases and other nucleases and promote mRNA function at the level of initiation of translation. Analogs of the RNA caps (RNA CAP ANALOGS), which lack the positive charge, inhibit the initiation of protein synthesis.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Nucleic acid structures found on the 5' end of eukaryotic cellular and viral messenger RNA and some heterogeneous nuclear RNAs. These structures, which are positively charged, protect the above specified RNAs at their termini against attack by phosphatases and other nucleases and promote mRNA function at the level of initiation of translation. Analogs of the RNA caps (RNA CAP ANALOGS), which lack the positive charge, inhibit the initiation of protein synthesis.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • 5' Capped RNA
  • 5' mRNA Cap Structure
  • RNA Cap
  • Cap, RNA
  • Caps, RNA
  • RNA, 5' Capped

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

IM; /drug eff /ultrastruct permitted

MeSH Record

History Note

80

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Guanine Nucleotides (1966-1971)
  • Guanosine Triphosphate (1972-1974)/analogs & derivatives (1975-1979)
  • Oligoribonucleotides (1976-1979)
  • RNA, Messenger (1966-1979)
  • Ribonucleotides (1971-1975)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D03w.633.100.759.646.454.700
  2. D13.444w.735w.544w.500
  3. D13.695w.667.454.700
  4. D13.695w.827w.426.700

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 58.7

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. RNA Caps. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D012315. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D012315
  2. RNA Caps. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76877072