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Binding and disruption of phospholipid bilayers by supramolecular RNA complexes
Binding and disruption of phospholipid bilayers by supramolecular RNA complexes.
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In an RNA world, RNAs would have regulated traffic through normally impermeable bilayer membranes. Using selection-amplification we previously found RNAs that bind stably and increase the ionic conductance of phospholipid membranes at high Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) concentrations. Now selection in reduced divalents yields RNAs that bind phosphatidylcholine liposomes under conditions closer to physiological. Such affinity for phospholipid membranes requires interactions between RNAs. In fact, we detected no functional monomeric membrane-binding RNAs. A membrane-active end-to-end heterotrimer consisting of 2 RNA 9 and 1 RNA 10 is defined by nucleotide protection, oligonucleotide competition, and mutant analysis. Oligomers of the heterotrimer bind stably, cause release of liposome-encapsulated solutes, and disrupt model black membranes. Individual RNA molecules do not show any of these activities. This novel mechanism of RNA binding to lipid membranes may not only regulate membrane permeability, but suggests that arrays of catalytic or structural RNAs on membranes are plausible. Finally, a selection met only by RNA complexes evokes new possibilities for selection-amplification itself.
Vlassov A, Khvorova A, Yarus M
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
2001-07-03 00:00
98
14
7706-11
Base Sequence,Lipid Bilayers,Molecular Sequence Data,Nucleic Acid Conformation,Phospholipids,RNA,Lipid Bilayers,Phospholipids,RNA
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0347, USA
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
CSR RG 30881, CSR RG 48080
0027-8424
10.1073/pnas.141041098
141041098
1409
True
11427715
