X-ray analysis of an RNA tetraplex (UGGGGU)(4) with divalent Sr(2+) ions at subatomic resolution (0.61 A).

ABSTRACT: Four-stranded guanine tetraplexes in RNA have been identified to be involved in crucial biological functions, such as dimerization of retroviral RNA, translational repression, and mRNA turnover. However, the structural basis for these biological processes is still largely unknown. Here we report the RNA tetraplex structure (UGGGGU)(4) at ultra-high resolution (0.61 A). The space group is P42(1)2, and cell constants are a = b = 36.16 A and c = 74.09 A. The structure was solved by the multiple-wavelength anomalous dispersion method using a set of three-wavelength data of the isomorphous bromo derivative (br)UGGGGU and refined to 0.61-A resolution. Each of the four strands in the asymmetric unit forms a parallel tetraplex with symmetry-related molecules. The tetraplex molecules stack on one a

SUBMITTER: Deng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC61098 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature