RNA and DNA folds: insights into tertiary structure elements

Authors

• SN Shaffer
• LFM Passalacqua
• AR Ferre-D'Amare

Abstract

RNA folds are comprised of more than canonical base pairs, showing that the non-coding functions performed by nucleic acids depend on exquisite secondary and tertiary structures. Later it was confirmed that the same is true for functional single-stranded DNA (i.e. DNA that is not part of the canonical B-form duplex). To achieve functionality, these molecules undergo folding that result in proper tertiary interactions between domains, ultimately leading to a compact, globular architecture that allows for organization, stability, and capability. Because the majority of tertiary structure motifs discovered in RNA involve the 2′-OH, such as ribose zippers and A-minor motifs, non-standard DNA is required to employ different strategies to achieve stable tertiary structure. Through manual curation of the current structural database, we have selected 19 DNA molecules that present residues in non-standard conformation. This so far limited set of DNA structures suggests that DNA molecules explore a group of strategies for tertiary structure stabilization.

Scientific Focus Area: Structural Biology

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