Main description:

This volume, written by experts in the field, discusses the current understanding of the biophysical principles that govern RNA folding, with featured RNAs including the ribosomal RNAs, viral RNAs, and self-splicing introns. In addition to the fundamental features of RNA folding, the central experimental and computational approaches in the field are presented with an emphasis on their individual strengths and limitations, and how they can be combined to be more powerful than any method alone; these approaches include NMR, single molecule fluorescence, site-directed spin labeling, structure mapping, comparative sequence analysis, graph theory, course-grained 3D modeling, and more. This volume will be of interest to professional researchers and advanced students entering the field of RNA folding.

Feature:

Focuses on concepts and methods relating to developments in study of RNA folding

Unique approach integrates methods and topics, rather than having an initial series of chapters focused solely on methods

Comprehensive and up-to-date survey of biophysical approaches to the dynamic field of RNA biology

Back cover:

Structured RNAs are everywhere, functioning throughout gene expression with key roles ranging from catalysis to regulation. New functional RNAs are being discovered all the time; in fact, it is now clear that a much greater fraction of eukaryotic genomes is devoted to coding for RNA than protein. Many of these RNAs must traverse complex energy landscapes to find their functional three-dimensional structures. Along the way, they may encounter native and non-native folding intermediates, chaperone proteins, and assemble with partner proteins.

This volume, written by experts in the field, discusses the current understanding of the biophysical principles that govern RNA folding, with featured RNAs including the ribosomal RNAs, viral RNAs, and self-splicing introns. In addition to the fundamental features of RNA folding, the central experimental and computational approaches in the field are presented with an emphasis on their individual strengths and limitations, and how they can be combined to be more powerful than any method alone; these approaches include NMR, single molecule fluorescence, site-directed spin labeling, structure mapping, comparative sequence analysis, graph theory, course-grained 3D modeling, and more. This volume will be of interest to professional researchers and advanced students entering the field of RNA folding.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Introduction
Rick Russell
 
Chapter 2: Comparative Analysis of the Higher-order Structure of RNA
Robin R. Gutell

Chapter 3: Graph Applications to RNA Structure and Function
Namhee Kim,  Katherine Niccole Fuhr,  Tamar Schlick

Chapter 4: Prediction and Coarse-Grained Modeling of RNA Structures
Zhen Xia, Pengyu Ren

Chapter 5: Studying RNA Folding Using Site-Directed Spin Labeling
Xiaojun Zhang, Peter Z. Qin

Chapter 6: The RNA Recognition Motif and Messenger RNA
Kathleen B Hall

Chapter 7: Memory Effects in RNA folding dynamics revealed by single molecule fluorescence
Rui Zhao, David Rueda

Chapter 8: An integrated picture of HDV ribozyme catalysis
Barbara L. Golden, Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, Paul R. Carey, Philip C. Bevilacqua

Chapter 9: Combining biochemical and structural information to model RNA-protein complex assembly
Maithili Saoji, Chun Geng, Paul J. Paukstelis

Chapter 10: Following RNA Folding From Local and Global Perspectives
Michael Brenowitz, Lois Pollack

Chapter 11: The Roles of Chaperones in RNA Folding
Rick Russell