A'-form RNA double helix in the single crystal structure of r(UGAGCUUCGGCUC)

Nucleic Acids Res. 1999 Feb 15;27(4):949-55. doi: 10.1093/nar/27.4.949.

Abstract

Here we demonstrate the presence of the A'-RNA conformation using the single crystal structure of a tridecamer: r(UGAGCUUCGGCUC). The average A'-RNA conformation deduced from X-ray fiber diffraction data had only been available previously, but now the presence of the A'-RNA conformation has been found in a single crystal structure for the first time. Statistical analysis showed that the A'-RNA conformation is distinguishable from the A-RNA conformation in a plot of the major groove width against the base pair inclination angle. The major groove of the A'-RNA conformation is wide enough to accommodate a protein or peptide while that of the A-RNA conformation is too narrow to do so. The presence of the A'-RNA conformation is significant for protein-RNA interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / chemistry*

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded