Discrete structure of an RNA folding intermediate revealed by cryo-electron microscopy

J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Nov 24;132(46):16352-3. doi: 10.1021/ja107492b. Epub 2010 Nov 1.

Abstract

RNA folding occurs via a series of transitions between metastable intermediate states. It is unknown whether folding intermediates are discrete structures folding along defined pathways or heterogeneous ensembles folding along broad landscapes. We use cryo-electron microscopy and single-particle image reconstruction to determine the structure of the major folding intermediate of the specificity domain of a ribonuclease P ribozyme. Our results support the existence of a discrete conformation for this folding intermediate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacillus / enzymology
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Ribonuclease P / chemistry*
  • Ribonuclease P / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ribonuclease P