Universal cold RNA phase transitions

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Rissone, Paolo; Severino, Aurelien; Pastor, Isabel; Ritort, Felix
• 署名单位: University of Barcelona; University of Barcelona
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-13235
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408313121
• 发表日期: 2024-08-20
• 关键词: heat-capacity changes; single-molecule; energy-landscape; web server; spectroscopy; DYNAMICS; denaturation; catalysis; proteins; binding

摘要

RNA's diversity of structures and functions impacts all life forms since primordia. We use calorimetric force spectroscopy to investigate RNA folding landscapes in previously unexplored low-temperature conditions. We find that Watson-Crick RNA hairpins, the most basic secondary structure elements, undergo a glass-like transition below TG similar to 20 degrees C where the heat capacity abruptly changes and the RNA folds into a diversity of misfolded structures. We hypothesize that an altered RNA biochemistry, determined by sequence-independent ribose-water interactions, outweighs sequence- dependent base pairing. The ubiquitous ribose-water interactions lead to universal RNA phase transitions below T G , such as maximum stability at TS similar to 5 degrees C where water density is maximum, and cold denaturation at TC similar to - 50 degrees C. RNA cold biochemistry may have a profound impact on RNA function and evolution.