Defining the syntax for self-assembling RNA tertiary architectures

Stable RNAs are modular and hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) architectures taking advantage of recurrent structural motifs to form extensive non-covalent tertiary interactions (1, 2). Using comparative sequence and structural analysis of known X-ray structures of RNAs, folding and assembly principles of RNA can presently be gathered to generate the syntax of a proto-language for rational design and prediction of RNA 3D shapes. RNA architectonics refers to the deciphering of this proto-language and to its use to build new functional RNA shapes with self-assembly properties (3-5). This approach can therefore contribute to the prediction and rational design of RNA tertiary structures for potential applications in nanotechnology, synthetic biology and medicine.