MetalionRNA: computational predictor of metal-binding sites in RNA structures.

ABSTRACT:

Motivation

Metal ions are essential for the folding of RNA molecules into stable tertiary structures and are often involved in the catalytic activity of ribozymes. However, the positions of metal ions in RNA 3D structures are difficult to determine experimentally. This motivated us to develop a computational predictor of metal ion sites for RNA structures.

Results

We developed a statistical potential for predicting positions of metal ions (magnesium, sodium and potassium), based on the analysis of binding sites in experimentally solved RNA structures. The MetalionRNA program is available as a web server that predicts metal ions for RNA structures submitted by the user.

Availability

The MetalionRNA web server is accessible at http://metalionrna.genesilico.pl/.

SUBMITTER: Philips A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3259437 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature