Salt contribution to RNA tertiary structure folding stability.

ABSTRACT: Accurate quantification of the ionic contribution to RNA folding stability could greatly enhance our ability to understand and predict RNA functions. Recently, motivated by the potential importance of ion correlation and fluctuation in RNA folding, we developed the tightly bound ion (TBI) model. Extensive experimental tests showed that the TBI model can lead to better treatment of multivalent ions than the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. In this study, we use the model to quantify the contribution of salt (Na(+) and Mg(2+)) to the RNA tertiary structure folding free energy. Folding of the RNA tertiary structure often involves intermediates. We focus on the folding transition from an intermediate state to the native state, and compute the electrostatic folding free energy of the RNA. Based on s

SUBMITTER: Tan ZJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3127172 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature