RRM
2007 Rustbelt RNA Meeting
RRM
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Poster abstracts
Abstract:
RNA molecules play a vital role in numerous cellular processes, such as protein synthesis, RNA splicing and control of gene expression. In order ot become active RNA molecules must first fold into their native structure. However, the RNA folding problem remains largely unsolved impeding progress in understanding the structure-function relationship in biologically important RNAs, and in engineering RNA molecules with useful applications in a wide variety of fields such as life-sciences, nanotechnology, etc. Single molecule spectroscopy is a very powerful tool to study the RNA folding problem because single molecule trajectories uncover key information otherwise hidden in ensemble-averaged bulk experiments.
RNA folding energy surfaces are usually rough and may contain kinetic traps that can form biologically inactive intermediates. In order to investigate the folding energy surface of RNA molecules, we have developed new technology based on the combination of single molecule spectroscopy with infrared laser induced temperature jump kinetics (single molecule T-jump). Single molecule T-jump kinetics enable us to monitor the folding dynamics of single RNA molecules in real time, and to characterize their folding landscape. We will present preliminary data of single molecule T-jump kinetic time trajectories applied to DsrA RNA. This technique will be readily adapted to study the folding of biologically important RNA enzymes, as well as DNA and proteins.
References:
D. Rueda and N.Walter, J.Nanoscience and Nanotechnology(2005)
DJ Proctor, H Ma, E Kierzek, R Kierzek, M Gruebel, Biochemistry, 2004
H Ma, DJ Proctor, E Kierzek, R Kierzek, PC J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2006
Kolk, M.H., Heus, H.A. and Hilbers, C.W. (1997) EMBO J., 16, 3685-3692
http://www.bioinfo.rpi.edu/applications/mfold/rna/form1.cgi
Keywords: Single Molecule, T-jump, kinetics
