Complex water networks visualized by cryogenic electron microscopy of RNA.

ABSTRACT: The stability and function of biomolecules are directly influenced by their myriad interactions with water^1-16. Here we investigated water through cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) on a highly solvated molecule: the Tetrahymena ribozyme. By using segmentation-guided water and ion modelling (SWIM)^17,18, an approach combining resolvability and chemical parameters, we automatically modelled and cross-validated water molecules and Mg²⁺ ions in the ribozyme core, revealing the extensive involvement of water in mediating RNA non-canonical interactions. Unexpectedly, in regions where SWIM does not model ordered water, we observed highly similar densities in both cryo-EM maps. In many of these regions, the cryo-EM densities superimpose with complex water netw

SUBMITTER: Kretsch RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12137144 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature