Preparation of group I introns for biochemical studies and crystallization assays by native affinity purification.

ABSTRACT: The study of functional RNAs of various sizes and structures requires efficient methods for their synthesis and purification. Here, 23 group I intron variants ranging in length from 246 to 341 nucleotides -- some containing exons -- were subjected to a native purification technique previously applied only to shorter RNAs (<160 nucleotides). For the RNAs containing both exons, we adjusted the original purification protocol to allow for purification of radiolabeled molecules. The resulting RNAs were used in folding assays on native gel electrophoresis and in self-splicing assays. The intron-only RNAs were subjected to the regular native purification scheme, assayed for folding and employed in crystallization screens. All RNAs that contained a 3' overhang of one nucleotide were efficiently cl

SUBMITTER: Vicens Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2729099 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature