Improved prediction of RNA tertiary structure with insights into native state dynamics

RNA. 2012 Mar;18(3):385-93. doi: 10.1261/rna.027201.111. Epub 2012 Jan 25.

Abstract

The importance of RNA tertiary structure is evident from the growing number of published high resolution NMR and X-ray crystallographic structures of RNA molecules. These structures provide insights into function and create a knowledge base that is leveraged by programs such as Assemble, ModeRNA, RNABuilder, NAST, FARNA, Mc-Sym, RNA2D3D, and iFoldRNA for tertiary structure prediction and design. While these methods sample native-like RNA structures during simulations, all struggle to capture the native RNA conformation after scoring. We propose RSIM, an improved RNA fragment assembly method that preserves RNA global secondary structure while sampling conformations. This approach enhances the quality of predicted RNA tertiary structure, provides insights into the native state dynamics, and generates a powerful visualization of the RNA conformational space. RSIM is available for download from http://www.github.com/jpbida/rsim.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Internet
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA / chemistry*
  • RNA / genetics
  • Software

Substances

  • RNA