DSSR-PyMOL cartoon-block schematics: PDB entry 4oji

PDB-id

4oji; DSSR-derived features in text and JSON formats

Class

RNA

Method

X-ray (2.3 Å)

Summary

Crystal structure of twister ribozyme

Reference

Liu Y, Wilson TJ, McPhee SA, Lilley DM (2014): "Crystal structure and mechanistic investigation of the twister ribozyme." Nat.Chem.Biol., 10, 739-744. doi: 10.1038/nchembio.1587.

Abstract

We present a crystal structure at 2.3-Å resolution of the recently described nucleolytic ribozyme twister. The RNA adopts a previously uncharacterized compact fold based on a double-pseudoknot structure, with the active site at its center. Eight highly conserved nucleobases stabilize the core of the ribozyme through the formation of one Watson-Crick and three noncanonical base pairs, and the highly conserved adenine 3' of the scissile phosphate is bound in the major groove of an adjacent pseudoknot. A strongly conserved guanine nucleobase directs its Watson-Crick edge toward the scissile phosphate in the crystal structure, and mechanistic evidence supports a role for this guanine as either a general base or acid in a concerted, general acid-base-catalyzed cleavage reaction.