Open AccessStructure of an A‐form RNA duplex obtained by degradation of 6S RNA in a crystallization droplet
Author(s) -
Kondo Jiro,
DockBregeon AnneCatherine,
Willkomm Dagmar K.,
Hartmann Roland K.,
Westhof Eric
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section f
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1744-3091
DOI - 10.1107/s1744309113013018
Subject(s) - rna , crystallization , duplex (building) , crystallography , aquifex aeolicus , base pair , wobble base pair , chemistry , dna , biophysics , biology , biochemistry , transfer rna , organic chemistry , escherichia coli , gene
In the course of a crystallographic study of a 132 nt variant of Aquifex aeolicus 6S RNA, a crystal structure of an A‐form RNA duplex containing 12 base pairs was solved at a resolution of 2.6 Å. In fact, the RNA duplex is part of the 6S RNA and was obtained by accidental but precise degradation of the 6S RNA in a crystallization droplet. 6S RNA degradation was confirmed by microscopic observation of crystals and gel electrophoresis of crystallization droplets. The RNA oligomers obtained form regular A‐form duplexes containing three GoU wobble‐type base pairs, one of which engages in intermolecular contacts through a ribose‐zipper motif at the crystal‐packing interface.