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Published on: August 14, 2018
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Synchronous RNA conformational changes trigger ordered phase transitions in crystals
Saminathan Ramakrishnan1, Jason R Stagno1, Chelsie E Conrad1,2
1Structural Biophysics Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA.
Nature Communications
|March 20, 2021
Summary
This study reveals how adenine riboswitch RNA molecules rearrange cooperatively within crystals during ligand-triggered phase transitions, maintaining lattice order. This finding enables studying large biomacromolecular conformational changes using advanced crystallography techniques.
Area of Science:
- Structural Biology
- Biophysics
- Crystallography
Background:
- Time-resolved studies of biomacromolecular crystals are limited to small conformational changes.
- Large ligand-induced changes often cause disruptive solid-solid phase transitions.
- Understanding the interplay between molecular and lattice changes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synchronous behavior of adenine riboswitch aptamer RNA during ligand-triggered phase transitions in crystals.
- To elucidate the mechanistic interplay between conformational and lattice transitions in biomacromolecules.
- To establish a physical basis for studying large conformational changes in crystalline states.
Main Methods:
- Direct visualization using polarized video microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Time-resolved X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) diffraction data collection.
- Analysis of crystal lattice parameter changes over time.
Main Results:
- RNA molecules exhibit cooperative rearrangements that preserve lattice order during phase transitions.
- Distinct temporal changes in crystal cell parameters were observed.
- Bulk lattice order was confirmed by time-resolved XFEL diffraction.
Conclusions:
- Ligand binding can trigger isothermal phase transitions in adenine riboswitch aptamer RNA crystals with maintained lattice integrity.
- Synchronous molecular rearrangements provide a pathway for studying large conformational dynamics in crystals.
- This work advances time-resolved crystallography for investigating biomacromolecular conformational changes in micro/nanocrystals.
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