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RNA Hairpin Folding in the Crowded Cell
Mimi Gao1, David Gnutt1, Axel Orban2
1Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|February 3, 2016
Summary
This study measured ribonucleic acid (RNA) hairpin structure stability within live cells, finding it similar to in vitro conditions. Cellular environments cause localized effects, but overall RNA folding stability is only marginally modulated.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Accurate ribonucleic acid (RNA) structure is vital for cellular functions.
- Previous RNA folding studies were limited to in vitro conditions, lacking cellular validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly measure the folding stability of a hairpin-structured RNA within live mammalian cells.
- To compare intracellular RNA stability with in vitro conditions and assess the impact of crowding agents.
Main Methods:
- Directly resolving hairpin-structured RNA folding stability in live mammalian cells.
- Comparing stability in dilute physiological buffer, within cells, and with artificial crowding agents in vitro.
Main Results:
- Intracellular RNA hairpin stability is comparable to dilute physiological buffer.
- In vitro crowding agents, except high-molecular-weight PEG, destabilized the RNA structure.
- Significant variability in RNA stability was observed within cell populations and subcellular regions (cytosol and nucleus).
Conclusions:
- Intracellular RNA folding stability is only marginally modulated on average compared to diluted buffer.
- Localized stabilizing and destabilizing effects exist within cellular compartments.
- Cellular environment plays a complex role in RNA structural stability.
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