Raman crystallography of RNA

Affinity maturation of a portable Fab–RNA module for chaperone-assisted RNA crystallography

Antibody fragments such as Fabs possess properties that can enhance protein and RNA crystallization and therefore can facilitate macromolecular structure determination. In particular, Fab BL3-6 binds to an AAACA RNA pentaloop closed by a GC pair with ∼100 nM affinity. The Fab and hairpin have served as a portable module for RNA crystallization. The potential for general application make it desi...

Solving large RNA structures by X-ray crystallography.

Correlation between Raman and X-ray crystallography data of (Pro-Pro-Gly)10.

Model biopolymers are powerful tools to guide the interpretation of physical properties in complex systems. (Pro-Pro-Gly)10, (PPG)10, is a collagen-model peptide, whose structure is known at high resolution. Herein, Raman microscopy data of (PPG)10 powders and single crystals are reported. The spectra interpretation leads to an accurate assignment of three well-resolved amide bands correspondin...

Single-crystal Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography at beamline X26-C of the NSLS

Three-dimensional structures derived from X-ray diffraction of protein crystals provide a wealth of information. Features and interactions important for the function of macromolecules can be deduced and catalytic mechanisms postulated. Still, many questions can remain, for example regarding metal oxidation states and the interpretation of `mystery density', i.e. ambiguous or unknown features wi...

Raman-assisted crystallography reveals end-on peroxide intermediates in a nonheme iron enzyme.

Iron-peroxide intermediates are central in the reaction cycle of many iron-containing biomolecules. We trapped iron(III)-(hydro)peroxo species in crystals of superoxide reductase (SOR), a nonheme mononuclear iron enzyme that scavenges superoxide radicals. X-ray diffraction data at 1.95 angstrom resolution and Raman spectra recorded in crystallo revealed iron-(hydro)peroxo intermediates with the...