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Imprint of Ancient Evolution on rRNA Folding
Kathryn A Lanier1, Shreyas S Athavale1, Anton S Petrov1
1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and ‡School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, United States.
Biochemistry
|July 19, 2016
Summary
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) folding robustness stems from local interactions. Disassembling large ribosomal subunit Domain III confirmed that its structure and stability are maintained even when separated into smaller sub-domains, supporting autonomous folding principles.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
- Origin of Life Research
Background:
- A model suggests ribosomal RNA (rRNA) evolved through accretion, with larger RNAs incorporating smaller folded units.
- This accretion model implies that rRNA's structural robustness arises from the inherent autonomy of local folding.
- The study proposes that rRNA can be broken down into smaller components while retaining their folding mechanisms and competence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the autonomy of local folding, structure, and stability within rRNA.
- To test the hypothesis that rRNA can be decomposed while preserving its folding properties.
- To analyze the folding and stability of Domain III from the large ribosomal subunit (LSU) and its sub-domains.
Main Methods:
- Disassembly of Domain III from the LSU rRNA.
- Thermal melting, chemical footprinting, and circular dichroism to study rRNA folding.
- Analysis of the melting pathway and thermodynamic properties of Domain III and its isolated sub-domains.
Main Results:
- The melting transitions of Domain III were conserved upon its cleavage into two sub-domains.
- Each melting transition in Domain III corresponded to a transition in one of the isolated sub-domains.
- rRNA structure, stability, and folding mechanisms are primarily governed by local interactions, independent of sub-domain separation.
Conclusions:
- The experimental results support the model of autonomous local folding in rRNA.
- Domain III rRNA exhibits stable folding properties that are maintained even when fragmented.
- This finding contrasts with RNAs relying on long-range interactions for early folding stages.
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