Download MendeleySpecificity of RNA-RNA Helix Recognition
Battle, D.J., Doudna, J.A.(2002) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99: 11676-11681
- PubMed: 12189204
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.182221799
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
1L8V - PubMed Abstract:
Functional RNAs often form compact structures characterized by closely packed helices. Crystallographic analysis of several large RNAs revealed a prevalent interaction in which unpaired adenosine residues dock into the minor groove of a receptor helix. This A-minor motif, potentially the most important element responsible for global RNA architecture, has also been suggested to contribute to the fidelity of protein synthesis by discriminating against near-cognate tRNAs on the ribosome. The specificity of A-minor interactions is fundamental to RNA tertiary structure formation, as well as to their proposed role in translational accuracy. To investigate A-minor motif specificity, we analyzed mutations in an A-minor interaction within the Tetrahymena group I self-splicing intron. Thermodynamic and x-ray crystallographic results show that the A-minor interaction strongly prefers canonical base pairs over base mismatches in the receptor helix, enabling RNA interhelical packing through specific recognition of Watson-Crick minor groove geometry.
Organizational Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
