4EYA

Crystal Structure of a Plectonemic RNA Supercoil

Summary for 4EYA

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb4eya/pdb
• Related: 3R2C 3R2D
• Descriptor: N utilization substance protein B homolog, RNA (5'-R(*GP*GP*CP*UP*CP*CP*UP*UP*GP*GP*CP*A)-3'), GLYCEROL, ... (4 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: transcription elongation, ssrna, dsrna, nuse protein, transcription, transcription-rna complex, transcription/rna
• Biological source: Aquifex aeolicus; More
• Total number of polymer chains: 28
• Total formula weight: 214717.61

Authors

Stagno, J.R.,Ji, X. (deposition date: 2012-05-01, release date: 2012-06-20, Last modification date: 2023-09-13)

Primary citation

Stagno, J.R.,Ma, B.,Li, J.,Altieri, A.S.,Byrd, R.A.,Ji, X.
Crystal structure of a plectonemic RNA supercoil.
Nat Commun, 3:901-901, 2012

PubMed Abstract: Genome packaging is an essential housekeeping process in virtually all organisms for proper storage and maintenance of genetic information. Although the extent and mechanisms of packaging vary, the process involves the formation of nucleic-acid superstructures. Crystal structures of DNA coiled coils indicate that their geometries can vary according to sequence and/or the presence of stabilizers such as proteins or small molecules. However, such superstructures have not been revealed for RNA. Here we report the crystal structure of an RNA supercoil, which displays one level higher molecular organization than previously reported structures of DNA coiled coils. In the presence of an RNA-binding protein, two interlocking RNA coiled coils of double-stranded RNA, a 'coil of coiled coils', form a plectonemic supercoil. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that protein-RNA interaction is required for the stability of the supercoiled RNA. This study provides structural insight into higher order packaging mechanisms of nucleic acids.

PubMed: 22692544
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1903

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (3.2 Å)