What are some threats to nucleic acids in the cytoplasm?

Are you referring to mRNA specifically as it travels from the nucleus into the cytoplasmic where it is transcribed?

Yes, that same mRNA ready for translation.

The question is as vague as you see it. It may refer to any nucleic acids in the cytoplasm, including Mitochondrial DNA, Chloroplast DNA and even Viral DNA.

I mentioned mRNA because that's the first thing that comes in mind when thinking of nucleic acids outside the nucleus.

mRNA is protected before it leaves the nucleus, poly-A tail, G-cap, etc.

Yes, but is there anything that may happen to them? alteration of the codes by viral infection or something.. ?

I don't think so. Mutations occur at the genetic level (DNA nucleotides get messed up). If the mRNA is damaged, the nucleotides are recycled. I've never came across information pertaining to the scenario you mentioned.

Yea, that's what I studied as well, but I never came across something like this.
This question doesn't make much sense. I guess I'll skip it and ask to my teacher what's the mystery here.

Thanks though, appreciate your help.

Post Merge: 7 years ago

Hi, I have asked my professor about this question and she said that it may be anything: nucleic acids in prokaryotic cells (they don't have the nucleus); nucleic acids during meiosis and mitosis (in prometafase) or any situation whenever we have nucleic acids in a cytoplasm.

I yet can't find an answer, no google research has one.