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Quantifying Mg2+ dependence on conformational equilibrium in the two-state 7SK RNA stem-loop 3
Shilla Owusu Ansah1, Momodou B Camara1, Catherine D Eichhorn1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 639 North 12 St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
Magnesium ions (Mg2+) alter the structural equilibrium of 7SK RNA's SL3 domain by favoring the SL3e conformer. This study provides a thermodynamic framework for understanding ion-dependent RNA dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- RNA structural dynamics are crucial for function, but cellular modulation remains poorly understood.
- The 7SK RNA stem-loop 3 (SL3) domain is vital for 7SK ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assembly and function.
- SL3 exists in two distinct, equally populated conformers (SL3e and SL3a), serving as a model for RNA conformational equilibria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively investigate the impact of ionic conditions on SL3 conformational equilibria.
- To determine the thermodynamic basis for Mg2+ mediated shifts in SL3 populations.
- To advance the structural understanding of the 7SK RNP's regulatory SL3 element.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (qDMS-MaPseq).
- Solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (1H-1H NOESY).
- Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC).
Main Results:
- Mg2+ shifts the SL3 equilibrium from 52%:48% to 67%:33% (SL3e:SL3a).
- ITC reveals approximately 2-fold higher affinity of Mg2+ for the SL3e conformer.
- NMR data show Mg2+ stabilizes an A-form helical geometry in the SL3e upper stem, including noncanonical base pairs.
- DMS reactivity patterns identified a signature for A•C wobble base pairs.
- NMR and DMS-MaPseq perturbation data showed high correlation (R2 = 0.87).
Conclusions:
- Mg2+ modulates RNA conformational ensembles through differential cation affinity.
- A thermodynamic framework for dissecting ion-dependent RNA equilibria was established.
- The study enhances structural insights into the critical SL3 regulatory element of the 7SK RNP.
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