RNA Adenine. Foldit atom numbers in black.
Adenine is one of four bases or nucleotides that make up RNA and DNA.
In DNA, adenine is normally paired with thymine. In RNA, adenine may be paired with uracil, which is chemically related to thymine. Unlike DNA, however, RNA can take on a variety of shapes, so adenine and uracil aren't always paired.
Adenine (left) bonded to uracil (right).
RNA Bonding
The table below shows the non-backbone atoms for adenine that can form hydrogen bonds. See RNA backbone for the backbone atoms.
| atom | element | acceptor | donor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | oxygen | yes | yes |
| 13 | nitrogen | yes | yes |
| 19 | nitrogen | no | yes |
| 20 | nitrogen | yes | yes |
| 22 | nitrogen | no | yes |