Twist-joints and double twist-joints in RNA structure.
Analysis of available RNA crystal structures has allowed us to identify a new family of RNA arrangements that we call double twist-joints, or DTJs. Each DTJ is composed of a double helix that contains two bulges incorporated into different strands and separated from each other by 2 or 3 bp. At each bulge, the double helix is over-twisted, while the unpaired nucleotides of both bulges form a complex network of stacking and hydrogen-bonding with nucleotides of helical regions. In total, we identified 14 DTJ cases, which can be combined in three groups based on common structural characteristics. One DTJ is found in a functional center of the ribosome, another DTJ mediates binding of the pre-tRNA to the RNase P, and two more DTJs form the sensing domains in the glycine riboswitch.
Département de Biochimie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada.
Yury I
YI
Boutorine
Sergey V
SV
Steinberg
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D020871:RNA Stability; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D043262:Ribonuclease P / Q000378:metabolism; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D058928:Riboswitch; D016963:Thermus thermophilus / Q000378:metabolism
D012322:RNA Precursors; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D058928:Riboswitch; D012313:RNA; D043262:Ribonuclease P