Abstract

The assembly of high molecular mass ribonucleoprotein complexes typically relies on the binary interaction of defined RNA sequences or precisely folded RNA motifs with dedicated RNA-binding domains on the protein side. Here we describe a new molecular recognition principle of RNA molecules by a high molecular mass protein complex. By chemically probing the solvent accessibility of mitochondrial pre-mRNAs when bound to the Trypanosoma brucei editosome, we identified multiple similar but non-identical RNA motifs as editosome contact sites. However, by treating the different motifs as mathematical graph objects we demonstrate that they fit a consensus 2D-graph consisting of 4 vertices (V) and 3 edges (E) with a Laplacian eigenvalue of 0.5477 (λ2). We establish that synthetic 4V(3E)-RNAs are sufficient to compete for the editosomal pre-mRNA binding site and that they inhibit RNA editing in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate that only two topological indices are necessary to predict the binding of any RNA motif to the editosome with a high level of confidence. Our analysis corroborates that the editosome has adapted to the structural multiplicity of the mitochondrial mRNA folding space by recognizing a fuzzy continuum of RNA folds that fit a consensus graph descriptor.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.