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Tutorial VI - RNA Structure Prediction and Comparison

Neocles Leontis, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
Location: Shriver Center
Monday 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

RNA molecules play central roles in every phase of gene expression and its regulation. Many of these molecules form unique, tightly folded and complex 3D structures to carry out their functions. RNA molecules are similar to proteins in being able 1) to recognize and interact specifically with various ligands, substrates and other macromolecules; 2) to undergo functional conformational changes; and in some cases 3) to catalyze chemical reactions. Like proteins, as RNA molecules evolve they tend to conserve the core 3D structure to a higher degree than the 2D structure and least of all the actual sequences. Comparative analysis of sequences of homologous RNAs can reveal conserved secondary structure, as well as conserved 3D structure. To understand conserved 3D structure, workshop participants will be introduced to the geometrical classification of non-Watson-Crick basepairs, which play important roles in mediating RNA-RNA tertiary interactions. The motif search program "FR3D" ("Find RNA 3D") will be demonstrated for finding and classifying 3D motifs and deriving sequence signatures for comparative sequence analysis. Workshop participants will also be introduced to Isostericity Matrices as tools for understanding conserved 3D structure at the level of non-Watson-Crick basepairs.

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