Functional Roles of Chelated Magnesium Ions in RNA Folding and Function
Ryota Yamagami1,2, Jacob P Sieg1,2, Philip C Bevilacqua1,2,3
1Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
Biochemistry
|July 28, 2021
Summary
Cellular magnesium (Mg2+) is often bound by metabolites, not freely available. This bound Mg2+ is crucial for RNA folding, stability, and function, impacting cellular processes and potentially the origin of life.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Astrobiology
Background:
- RNA performs vital cellular functions, requiring complex tertiary structures stabilized by metal ions.
- Magnesium (Mg2+) is abundant in cells and essential for RNA folding and function, with in vitro studies often using high concentrations (≥10 mM).
- Cellular free Mg2+ is lower than in vitro conditions, as most Mg2+ is chelated by metabolites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize cellular concentrations of Mg2+-binding metabolites.
- To estimate cellular concentrations of metabolite-chelated Mg2+ species in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
- To highlight the role of metabolite-chelated Mg2+ in RNA function and its potential role in abiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Curated data from various sources on metabolite concentrations.
- Estimated cellular concentrations of metabolite-chelated Mg2+ species.
- Reviewed existing research on Mg2+ and RNA interactions.
Main Results:
- Provided extensive summaries of cellular Mg2+-binding metabolites.
- Estimated metabolite-chelated Mg2+ concentrations in *Escherichia coli*, *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, and iBMK cells.
- Demonstrated that weakly chelated Mg2+ enhances RNA thermodynamic stability, chemical stability, and catalysis.
Conclusions:
- Bound Mg2+ should not be disregarded as non-RNA-interacting.
- Chelated magnesium complexes may have been significant in the origin of life.
- Future RNA and protein research should consider the role of chelated magnesium.
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