Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Monitoring Equilibrium Changes in RNA Structure by 'Peroxidative' and 'Oxidative' Hydroxyl Radical Footprinting
Published on: October 17, 2011
Assignment and NOE analysis of 2'-hydroxyl protons in RNA: implications for stabilization of RNA A-form duplexes
Mirko Hennig1, Jörg Fohrer, Teresa Carlomagno
1Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, MB33, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. mirko@scripps.edu
Abstract:
The ribose 2'-OH hydroxyl group distinguishes RNA from DNA. The 2'-OH hydroxyl protons are responsible for differences in conformation, hydration, and thermodynamic stability of RNA and DNA oligonucleotides. Additionally, the 2'-OH group plays a central role in RNA catalysis. This important group lies in the shallow groove of RNA, where it is involved in a network of hydrogen bonds with water molecules stabilizing RNA A-form duplexes. Structural and dynamical information on 2'-OH hydroxyl protons is essential to understand their respective roles. Here we report the 2'-OH hydroxyl proton assignments for a 30mer RNA, the HIV-2 transactivation region, in water using solution NMR techniques. We provide structural information on 2'-OH hydroxyl groups in the form of orientational preferences contradicting the paradigm that the 2'-OH hydroxyl typically points away from the ribose H1' proton.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
RNA Stability
RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
RNA Stability
Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (NOE)
Nucleic Acid Structure
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...

