An RNA foldability metric; implications for the design of rapidly foldable RNA sequences

Biophys Chem. 2006 Apr 1;120(3):237-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bpc.2005.11.012. Epub 2006 Jan 6.

Abstract

Evidence is presented suggesting, for the first time, that the protein foldability metric sigma = (T(theta)-T(f))/T(theta), where T(theta) and T(f) are, respectively, the collapse and folding transition temperatures, could be used also to measure the foldability of RNA sequences. These results provide further evidence of similarities between the folding energy landscapes of proteins and RNA. The importance of sigma is discussed in the context of the in silico design of rapidly foldable RNA sequences.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence / physiology*
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Protein Folding
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / physiology

Substances

  • RNA, Transfer