RNA conformational requirements of self-cleavage of hepatitis delta virus RNA.

• DOI: 10.1128/mcb.10.10.5575
• Publication Date: 2015-10-01T21:59:57Z
• Authors: H N Wu; M M Lai
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Formamides; Temperature; Nucleic Acid Precursors; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Nucleic Acid Denaturation; Catalysis; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Nucleic Acid Renaturation; Nucleic Acid Conformation; RNA, Viral; Magnesium; Hepatitis Delta Virus

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA subfragments undergo self-cleavage at varying efficiencies. We have developed a procedure of using repeated cycles of heat denaturation and renaturation of RNA to achieve a high efficiency of cleavage. This effect can also be achieved by gradual denaturation of RNA with heat or formamide. These results suggest that only a subpopulation of the catalytic RNA molecules assumes the active conformation required for self-cleavage. This procedure could be of general use for detecting catalytic RNA activities.