Abstract
One of the fundamental properties of the RNA helix is its intrinsic resistance to bend- or twist-deformations. Results of a variety of physical measurements point to a persistence length of 700-800 Å for double-stranded RNA in the presence of magnesium cations, approximately 1.5-2.0-fold larger than the corresponding value for DNA. Although helix flexibility represents an important, quantifiable measure of the forces of interaction within the helix, it must also be considered in describing conformational variation of nonhelix elements (e.g. internal loops, branches). Since the latter always reflect the properties of the flanking helices; that is, such elements are never completely rigid. For one important element of tertiary structure, namely, the core of yeast tRNA(Phe), the above consideration has led to the conclusion that the core is not substantially moro flexible than an equivalent length of pure helix.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 139-156 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Annual Review of Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure |
| Volume | 26 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Molecular evolution
- Ribozymes
- RNA structure
- Transcription
- Translation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
Cite this
Flexibility of RNA. / Hagerman, Paul J.
In: Annual Review of Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure, Vol. 26, 1997, p. 139-156.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Flexibility of RNA
AU - Hagerman, Paul J
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - One of the fundamental properties of the RNA helix is its intrinsic resistance to bend- or twist-deformations. Results of a variety of physical measurements point to a persistence length of 700-800 Å for double-stranded RNA in the presence of magnesium cations, approximately 1.5-2.0-fold larger than the corresponding value for DNA. Although helix flexibility represents an important, quantifiable measure of the forces of interaction within the helix, it must also be considered in describing conformational variation of nonhelix elements (e.g. internal loops, branches). Since the latter always reflect the properties of the flanking helices; that is, such elements are never completely rigid. For one important element of tertiary structure, namely, the core of yeast tRNA(Phe), the above consideration has led to the conclusion that the core is not substantially moro flexible than an equivalent length of pure helix.
AB - One of the fundamental properties of the RNA helix is its intrinsic resistance to bend- or twist-deformations. Results of a variety of physical measurements point to a persistence length of 700-800 Å for double-stranded RNA in the presence of magnesium cations, approximately 1.5-2.0-fold larger than the corresponding value for DNA. Although helix flexibility represents an important, quantifiable measure of the forces of interaction within the helix, it must also be considered in describing conformational variation of nonhelix elements (e.g. internal loops, branches). Since the latter always reflect the properties of the flanking helices; that is, such elements are never completely rigid. For one important element of tertiary structure, namely, the core of yeast tRNA(Phe), the above consideration has led to the conclusion that the core is not substantially moro flexible than an equivalent length of pure helix.
KW - Molecular evolution
KW - Ribozymes
KW - RNA structure
KW - Transcription
KW - Translation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030992351&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0030992351&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev.biophys.26.1.139
DO - 10.1146/annurev.biophys.26.1.139
M3 - Article
C2 - 9241416
AN - SCOPUS:0030992351
VL - 26
SP - 139
EP - 156
JO - Annual Review of Biophysics
JF - Annual Review of Biophysics
SN - 1936-122X
ER -