New information content in RNA base pairing deduced from quantitative analysis of high-resolution structures.

ABSTRACT: Non-canonical base pairs play important roles in organizing the complex three-dimensional folding of RNA. Here, we outline methodology developed both to analyze the spatial patterns of interacting base pairs in known RNA structures and to reconstruct models from the collective experimental information. We focus attention on the structural context and deformability of the seven pairing patterns found in greatest abundance in the helical segments in a set of well-resolved crystal structures, including (i-ii) the canonical A.U and G.C Watson-Crick base pairs, (iii) the G.U wobble pair, (iv) the sheared G.A pair, (v) the A.U Hoogsteen pair, (vi) the U.U wobble pair, and (vii) the G.A Watson-Crick-like pair. The non-canonical pairs stand out from the canonical associations in terms of apparent

SUBMITTER: Olson WK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2681097 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature