A general strategy to solve the phase problem in RNA crystallography.

ABSTRACT: X-ray crystallography of biologically important RNA molecules has been hampered by technical challenges, including finding heavy-atom derivatives to obtain high-quality experimental phase information. Existing techniques have drawbacks, limiting the rate at which important new structures are solved. To address this, we have developed a reliable means to localize heavy atoms specifically to virtually any RNA. By solving the crystal structures of thirteen variants of the G*U wobble pair cation binding motif, we have identified a version that when inserted into an RNA helix introduces a high-occupancy cation binding site suitable for phasing. This "directed soaking" strategy can be integrated fully into existing RNA crystallography methods, potentially increasing the rate at which important s

SUBMITTER: Keel AY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1995091 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature