Basis for structural diversity in homologous RNAs

Andrey S. Krasilnikov, Yinghua Xiao, Tao Pan, Alfonso Mondragon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

128 Scopus citations

Abstract

Large RNA molecules, such as ribozymes, fold with well-defined tertiary structures that are important for their activity. There are many instances of ribozymes with identical function but differences in their secondary structures, suggesting alternative tertiary folds. Here, we report a crystal structure of the 161-nucteotide specificity domain of an A-type ribonuctease P that differs in secondary and tertiary structure from the specificity domain of a B-type molecule. Despite the differences, the cores of the domains have similar three-dimensional structure. Remarkably, the similar geometry of the cores is stabilized by a different set of interactions involving distinct auxiliary elements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)104-107
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume306
Issue number5693
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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