Non-averaged single-molecule tertiary structures reveal RNA self-folding through individual-particle cryo-electron tomography.

ABSTRACT: Large-scale and continuous conformational changes in the RNA self-folding process present significant challenges for structural studies, often requiring trade-offs between resolution and observational scope. Here, we utilize individual-particle cryo-electron tomography (IPET) to examine the post-transcriptional self-folding process of designed RNA origami 6-helix bundle with a clasp helix (6HBC). By avoiding selection, classification, averaging, or chemical fixation and optimizing cryo-ET data acquisition parameters, we reconstruct 120 three-dimensional (3D) density maps from 120 individual particles at an electron dose of no more than 168 e^-Å^-2, achieving averaged resolutions ranging from 23 to 35 Å, as estimated by Fourier shell correlation (FSC) at 0.5. Each map al

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11494099 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature