Kinetic subpopulations detected by single-molecule spectroscopy: fundamental property of functional nucleic acids or experimental artefact?

Chimia (Aarau). 2013;67(4):240-3. doi: 10.2533/chimia.2013.240.

Abstract

Single-molecule spectroscopy allows the direct observation of conformational dynamics in individual biomolecules. Here, we describe how single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) reveals heterogeneous kinetics in the EBS1*/IBS1* interaction, two RNA sequences that play an important role in group II intron mediated self-cleavage. Further examples of dynamic heterogeneity in functional nucleic acids are provided and the possible origins of this phenomenon are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods*
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nucleic Acids / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence*

Substances

  • Nucleic Acids