3D based on 2D: Calculating helix angles and stacking patterns using forgi 2.0, an RNA Python library centered on secondary structure elements

F1000Res. 2019 Mar 14:8:ISCB Comm J-287. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.18458.2. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

We present forgi, a Python library to analyze the tertiary structure of RNA secondary structure elements. Our representation of an RNA molecule is centered on secondary structure elements (stems, bulges and loops). By fitting a cylinder to the helix axis, these elements are carried over into a coarse-grained 3D structure representation. Integration with Biopython allows for handling of all-atom 3D information. forgi can deal with a variety of file formats including dotbracket strings, PDB and MMCIF files. We can handle modified residues, missing residues, cofold and multifold structures as well as nucleotide numbers starting at arbitrary positions. We apply this library to the study of stacking helices in junctions and pseudoknots and investigate how far stacking helices in solved experimental structures can divert from coaxial geometries.

Keywords: Python; RNA; RNA secondary structure; RNA tertiary structure; coaxial stacking; pseudo knots.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azepines*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Organometallic Compounds*
  • RNA

Substances

  • Azepines
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • kartocid
  • RNA