Excited to share my latest research. In this paper in PNAS, I use #cryoEM and #crystallography to solve multiple new structures of a viral RNA motif that controls frameshifting. #virus #retrovirus #structuralbiology #science #biochemistry www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... - ThreadSky

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cpricejones.bsky.social • 41 days ago

Excited to share my latest research. In this paper in PNAS, I use #cryoEM and #crystallography to solve multiple new structures of a viral RNA motif that controls frameshifting.

#virus #retrovirus #structuralbiology #science #biochemistry

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2418418122

Comments

cpricejones.bsky.social•41 days ago

Frameshifting is one way viruses control their protein output by tricking cellular translation. Here I show the Rous sarcoma virus frameshifting element adopts a double pseudoknot fold that resembles a butterfly flapping one of its wings.

cpricejones.bsky.social•41 days ago

One wing is dynamic and differs among the structures. The other is rigid and unchanged. Between the wings is a critical region that “toggles” conformations. Toggle left, translation is OFF. Toggle right, translation is ON.

cpricejones.bsky.social•41 days ago

This work highlights the conformational versatility of RNA. Flexibility can frustrate efforts to determine “the structure” because RNA is dynamic. Function often arises from multiple structures.

cpricejones.bsky.social•41 days ago

Stay tuned for my next paper using a version of this viral RNA to solve unknown RNA structures by cryoEM.

cpricejones.bsky.social•41 days ago

This work was supported by the NHLBI at NIH and performed in the lab of coauthor Adrian Ferre-D’Amare. This is some of the science that is now harder to do because of cuts and restrictions.

cpricejones.bsky.social•41 days ago

We cannot buy reagents, go to conferences, or hire people. My contract ends in May, so this is likely the end of my work in academic #science.

luizpassalacqua.bsky.social•41 days ago

Amazing! Looking forward to the upcoming papers!

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