8.3 More Complex RNA Secondary Structures

8.3.1 Psuedoknots

Figure 8.7: Pseudoknots

This is a structure that is formed when single strands of RNA fold to form a base-pair interaction with a hairpin loop.

8.3.2 Kissing hairpins

Figure 8.8: Kissing Hairpins

Two hairpin loops can form base-pair interactions with one another to yield kissing hairpins.

These kissing hairpins can also arise from intermolecular or intramolecular interactions.

8.3.3 Hairpin loop bulge contact

Figure 8.9: Hairpin loop - bulge contacts

This structure results from the interaction of a hairpin loop with a bulge.

The examples presented in figure 8.9 involves non Watson-Crick base pair interactions.