title: A personal perspective on chemistry-driven RNA research.
abstract: In this mini review, we discuss how our understanding of ribonucleic acid (RNA) properties becomes significantly deepened when a broad range of modern chemical and biophysical methods is applied. We span our perspective from RNA solid-phase synthesis and site-specific labeling to single-molecule fluorescence-resonance-energy-transfer imaging and NMR spectroscopy approaches to explore the dynamics of RNA over a broad timescale. We then move on to Fourier-transform-ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) as a powerful technique for RNA sequencing and modification analysis. The novel methodological developments are discussed for selected biological systems that include the thiamine-pyrophosphate riboswitch, HIV and ribosomal A-site RNA, and transfer RNA.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry, Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine (CCB), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Micura
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kreutz
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Breuker
mesh_terms: D017357:Cyclotrons; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D012313:RNA
chemical_list: D012313:RNA
keywords: chemical synthesis; dynamics; labeling; modification; structure