RUI: RNA Stability and Ion Binding

SERA 9707940这个项目的目标是确定序列和二价离子对核糖核酸稳定性的影响。本项目有四个具体的目标：1)测试预测RNA发夹稳定性的模型的限度，2)根据序列为预测RNA凸起环稳定性提供热力学参数，3)确定金属离子对RNA二级结构基序稳定性的影响，4)确定金属离子与RNA二级结构基序结合的化学计量学和亲和力。RNA齐聚物将通过化学合成的方法制备。通过对合成的低聚物的光学熔融曲线的Van‘t Hoff分析来确定RNA低聚物的结构稳定性。在光学熔融研究中，金属离子(镁、锌)与RNA的相互作用将通过观察它们对RNA低聚体热稳定性的影响来确定。金属离子结合的化学计量比和亲和力将通过平衡透析法确定。本研究的总体目标是确定序列对RNA低聚体结构稳定性的影响，了解影响其稳定性的分子作用力，并为预测这些稳定性提供热力学参数。***

Serra 9707940 The goal of this project is to determine the effect of sequence and divalent ions on the stability of RNA. This project has four specific goals: 1) to test the limits of a model for the prediction of RNA hairpin stability, 2) to provide the thermodynamics parameters for the prediction of RNA bulge loop stability from sequence, 3) to determine the effect of metal ions on the stability of RNA secondary structural motifs, and 4) to determine the stoichiometry and affinity for metal ion binding to RNA secondary structural motifs. RNA oligomers will be prepared by chemical synthesis. The structural stability of the RNA oligomers will be determined by Van't Hoff analysis of optical melting curves of the synthetic oligomers. Interaction of metal ions (Mg2+ and Zn2+) with RNA will be determined by observing their effect on the thermal stability of RNA oligomers in optical melting studies. The stoichiometry and affinity of the metal ion binding will be determined by equilibrium dialysis. The overall goal of this research is to determine the effect of sequence on the structural stability of RNA oligomers and to understand the molecular forces responsible for their stability and to provide thermodynamic parameters for the prediction of those stabilities. ***