Question

Which of the following is incorrect about the RNA structure prediction?

(a) Given the sequence, it provides an ab initio prediction of secondary structure

(b) From the many possible choices of complementary sequences that can potentially base-pair, the compatible sets that provide the highest energy molecules are chosen

(c) Structures with energies almost as stable as the most stable one may also be produced

(d) Regions whose predictions are the most reliable can be identified from such an analysis

This question was addressed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.

My query is from Limitations of Prediction topic in section RNA Structure Prediction of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

Right option is (b) From the many possible choices of complementary sequences that can potentially base-pair, the compatible sets that provide the highest energy molecules are chosen

The best I can explain: Stable structures are the ones with least or relatively quite low energy. Sequence variations found in related sequences may also be used to predict which base pairs are likely to be found in each of the molecules. One variation of RNA structure prediction methods will predict a set of sequences that are able to form a particular structure.