Folding and unfolding single RNA molecules under tension.
Single-molecule force spectroscopy constitutes a powerful method for probing RNA folding: It allows the kinetic, energetic, and structural properties of intermediate and transition states to be determined quantitatively, yielding new insights into folding pathways and energy landscapes. Recent advances in experimental and theoretical methods, including fluctuation theorems, kinetic theories, novel force clamps, and ultrastable instruments, have opened new avenues for study. These tools have been used to probe folding in simple model systems, for example, RNA and DNA hairpins. Knowledge gained from such systems is helping to build our understanding of more complex RNA structures composed of multiple elements, as well as how nucleic acids interact with proteins involved in key cellular activities, such as transcription and translation.
Woodside
Michael T
MT
National Institute for Nanotechnology, National Research Council of Canada, Edmonton AB T6G 2M9, Canada. michael.woodside@nrccnrc.gc.ca
García-García
Cuauhtémoc
C
Block
Steven M
SM
D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
D004798:Enzymes; D012313:RNA
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