Standard Lemma guide

Z-RNA

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A configuration of RNA, left-hand twisting double helix, that takes up a zigzagging form due to the natural right-hand twisting tendency of double-stranded RNA.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An RNA helix in such a configuration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Z + RNA. Blend of Z-DNA + RNA. From zigzagging of the zigzag configuration RNA, an RNA analogue of the previously discovered Z-DNA.