Cryo-EM structure of a natural RNA nanocage.

ABSTRACT: Long (>200 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in diverse aspects of life. Over 20 classes of lncRNAs have been identified in bacteria and bacteriophages through comparative genomics analyses, but their biological functions remain largely unexplored^1-3. Owing to the large sizes, the structural determinants of most lncRNAs also remain uncharacterized. Here, we report the structures of two natural RNA nanocages formed by the ROOL (rumen-originating, ornate, large) lncRNA found in bacterial and phage genomes. The cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures at 2.9-Å resolution reveal that ROOL RNAs form an octameric nanocage with a diameter of 28 nm and an axial length of 20 nm, in which the hollow inside features poorly ordered regions. The octamer is stab

SUBMITTER: Ling X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12509285 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature