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. 1995 May 9;92(10):4686–4690. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.10.4686

A secondary-structure model for the self-cleaving region of Neurospora VS RNA.

T L Beattie 1, J E Olive 1, R A Collins 1
PMCID: PMC42009  PMID: 7753865

Abstract

Neurospora VS RNA performs an RNA-mediated self-cleavage reaction whose products contain 2',3'-cyclic phosphate and 5'-hydroxyl termini. This reaction is similar to those of hammerhead, hairpin, and hepatitis delta virus ribozymes; however, VS RNA is not similar in sequence to these other self-cleaving motifs. Here we propose a model for the secondary structure of the self-cleaving region of VS RNA, supported by site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification structure probing data. The secondary structure of VS RNA is distinct from those of the other naturally occurring RNA self-cleaving domains. In addition to a unique secondary structure, several Mg-dependent interactions occur during the folding of VS RNA into its active tertiary conformation.

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Selected References

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