title: Stabilization of RNA structure by Mg ions. Specific and non-specific effects.
abstract: The stabilities of three different RNA fragments have been measured as a function of Mg2+ concentrations, and are interpreted in terms of two different models of Mg(2+)-RNA interaction. The models presume either tight binding of ions to specific site(s) in a folded RNA, or non-specific, electrostatic binding to both folded and unfolded forms; qualitatively different predictions are made for the melting temperature dependence on ion concentration. Three different modes of Mg2+ interactions with RNA structures are distinguished. Hairpins are stabilized by completely non-specific binding, with affinities the same as or weaker than those for single strand and duplex homopolymers binding Mg2+. In contrast, a ribosomal RNA tertiary structure is stabilized by specific binding of a single ion; since no other di- or trivalent ion is as effective as Mg2+, direct coordination of Mg2+ to the RNA structure is probably taking place. A third class of sites is best analyzed by the site-specific model, but any di- or trivalent ion is as effective as Mg2+; the ion(s) are probably localized in a region of unusually high charge density. The magnitude of a Mg(2+)-induced shift in RNAtm is itself not diagnostic of specific site binding or RNA tertiary structure, since large shifts can be observed for all three interaction modes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 21210.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gluick
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Draper
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008433:Mathematics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D008274:Magnesium