Bridging conformational dynamics and function using single-molecule spectroscopy.
In a typical structure-function relation study, the primary structure of proteins or nucleic acids is changed by mutagenesis and its functional effect is measured via biochemical means. Single-molecule spectroscopy has begun to give a whole new meaning to the "structure-function relation" by measuring the real-time conformational changes of individual biological macromolecules while they are functioning. This review discusses a few recent examples: untangling internal chemistry and conformational dynamics of a ribozyme, branch migration landscape of a Holliday junction at a single-step resolution, tRNA selection and dynamics in a ribosome, repetitive shuttling and snapback of a helicase, and discrete rotation of an ATP synthase.
Myong
Sua
S
Department of Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Stevens
Benjamin C
BC
Ha
Taekjip
T
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D045566:DNA, Cruciform; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D025261:Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000737:chemistry; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000737:chemistry; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013997:Time Factors; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*
D045566:DNA, Cruciform; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012313:RNA; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D025261:Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases