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| Open AccessMetal ions and sugar puckering balance single-molecule kinetic heterogeneity in RNA and DNA tertiary contacts
Mobile group II introns function as ribozymes to splice and reinsert themselves into DNA, thereby colonizing new genomic regions. Here the authors use single-molecule FRET and molecular dynamics simulations to reveal a structural link between metal ion induced kinetic heterogeneity and the sugar puckers at the exon-intron binding interface.
- Fabio D. Steffen
- , Mokrane Khier
- & Roland K. O. Sigel
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Article
| Open AccessImportance of potassium ions for ribosome structure and function revealed by long-wavelength X-ray diffraction
Metal ions play essential roles in myriads of biological processes, from catalytic co-factors to supporting protein and nucleic acid structures. Here the authors use long-wavelength X-ray diffraction to locate hundreds of potassium ions taking part in the formation of rRNA tertiary structure, mediating rRNA–protein interactions and supporting ribosomal protein structures and function.
- Alexey Rozov
- , Iskander Khusainov
- & Gulnara Yusupova