Crystal structure of a plectonemic RNA supercoil

Jason R. Stagno, Buyong Ma, Jess Li, Amanda S. Altieri, R. Andrew Byrd and Xinhua Ji ()
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Jason R. Stagno: Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute
Buyong Ma: Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc. Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute
Jess Li: Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute
Amanda S. Altieri: Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute
R. Andrew Byrd: Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute
Xinhua Ji: Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-5

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1903

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