G-ribo: A new structural motif in ribosomal RNA
Abstract
Analysis of the available crystal structures of the ribosome and of its subunits has revealed a new RNA motif that we call G-ribo. The motif consists of two double helices positioned side-by-side and connected by an unpaired region. The juxtaposition of the two helices is kept by a complex system of tertiary interactions spread over several layers of stacked nucleotides. In the center of this arrangement, the ribose of a nucleotide from one helix is specifically packed with the ribose and the minor-groove edge of a guanosine from the other helix. In total, we found eight G-ribo motifs in both ribosomal subunits. The location of these motifs suggests that at least some of them play an important role in the formation of the ribosome structure and/or in its function.
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Footnotes
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Reprint requests to: Sergey V. Steinberg, Département de Biochimie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, H3C 3J7 Montréal, PQ, Canada; e-mail: serguei.chteinberg{at}umontreal.ca; fax: (514) 343-2210.
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Article published online ahead of print. Article and publication date are at http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/doi/10.1261/rna.387107.
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- Received November 14, 2006.
- Accepted December 21, 2006.
- Copyright © 2007 RNA Society
