A crystallographic study of the binding of 13 metal ions to two related RNA duplexes.

ABSTRACT: Metal ions, and magnesium in particular, are known to be involved in RNA folding by stabilizing secondary and tertiary structures, and, as cofactors, in RNA enzymatic activity. We have conducted a systematic crystallographic analysis of cation binding to the duplex form of the HIV-1 RNA dimerization initiation site for the subtype-A and -B natural sequences. Eleven ions (K+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Sr2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Au3+ and Pt4+) and two hexammines [Co (NH3)6]3+ and [Ru (NH3)6]3+ were found to bind to the DIS duplex structure. Although the two sequences are very similar, strong differences were found in their cation binding properties. Divalent cations bind almost exclusively, as Mg2+, at 'Hoogsteen' sites of guanine residues, with a cation-dependent affinity for each site. Notably,

SUBMITTER: Ennifar E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC156032 | biostudies-literature | 2003 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature