Universal cold RNA phase transitions
Paolo Rissone1, Aurélien Severino1, Isabel Pastor1
1Small Biosystems Lab, Condensed Matter Physics Department, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain.
Summary
RNA folding transitions to misfolded structures at low temperatures due to ribose-water interactions. This cold RNA biochemistry impacts RNA function and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA) exhibits diverse structures and functions crucial for all life.
- Understanding RNA folding under various conditions is key to deciphering its biological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate RNA folding landscapes at low temperatures using calorimetric force spectroscopy.
- To explore the impact of temperature on RNA secondary structure stability and dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Calorimetric force spectroscopy was employed to study RNA folding.
- Experiments were conducted under previously unexplored low-temperature conditions.
Main Results:
- Watson-Crick RNA hairpins exhibit a glass-like transition below 0°C.
- A significant change in heat capacity occurs, leading to diverse misfolded RNA structures.
- Sequence-independent ribose-water interactions were found to dominate over sequence-dependent base pairing at low temperatures.
Conclusions:
- Universal RNA phase transitions occur below a critical temperature (T_c).
- Maximum RNA stability is observed at 4°C, correlating with maximum water density.
- Cold denaturation of RNA occurs at low temperatures, suggesting a novel cold RNA biochemistry with potential evolutionary implications.
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