RNA tertiary interactions in the large ribosomal subunit: The A-minor motif

Journal Article · Wed Oct 07 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.081082398· OSTI ID:1006373

Nissen, Poul; Ippolito, Joseph A; Ban, Nenad; Moore, Peter B; Steitz, Thomas A ^[1]

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1. Yale University

Analysis of the 2.4-{angstrom} resolution crystal structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui reveals the existence of an abundant and ubiquitous structural motif that stabilizes RNA tertiary and quaternary structures. This motif is termed the A-minor motif, because it involves the insertion of the smooth, minor groove edges of adenines into the minor groove of neighboring helices, preferentially at C-G base pairs, where they form hydrogen bonds with one or both of the 2' OHs of those pairs. A-minor motifs stabilize contacts between RNA helices, interactions between loops and helices, and the conformations of junctions and tight turns. The interactions between the 3' terminal adenine of tRNAs bound in either the A site or the P site with 23S rRNA are examples of functionally significant A-minor interactions. The A-minor motif is by far the most abundant tertiary structure interaction in the large ribosomal subunit; 186 adenines in 23S and 5S rRNA participate, 68 of which are conserved. It may prove to be the universally most important long-range interaction in large RNA structures.

• Research Organization: Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1006373
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Journal Name: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Journal Issue: (9) ; 04, 2001 Vol. 98; ISSN PNASA6; ISSN 0027-8424
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ADENINES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
HYDROGEN
INTERACTION RANGE
RESOLUTION
RNA