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Predictive Understanding of RNA Dynamic Behavior: Bringing Order to Disorder
Author(s) -
AlHashimi Hashim,
Petzold Katja,
Chugh Jeetender,
Mustoe Tony,
Dethoff Elizabeth,
Brooks Charlie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.96.1
Subject(s) - rna , protein secondary structure , helix (gastropod) , topology (electrical circuits) , nucleic acid secondary structure , nucleic acid structure , biological system , computational biology , computer science , order (exchange) , orientation (vector space) , molecular dynamics , statistical physics , biology , physics , chemistry , mathematics , genetics , computational chemistry , gene , biochemistry , ecology , geometry , combinatorics , snail , finance , economics
We describe how simple topological constraints can enable the quantitative description of RNA global structure and dynamics based on secondary structure. In particular, the topology of helix‐junction‐helix motifs encodes tunable restrictions on the orientation of helices, providing a basis for narrowing the range of conformations that can be sampled robustly by a given RNA. We also describe new NMR data showing that RNA molecules often adopt alternative secondary structures that exist in very low abundance (populations <10%) and for very short periods of time (lifetimes as low as microseconds). These transient states of RNA can also be predicted based on secondary structure prediction programs. Finally, we describe efforts towards engineering RNAs with prescribed dynamic properties.