Biomolecular Structure and Evolution From Theory to the Design of - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Biomolecular Structure and Evolution

From Theory to the Design of RNA Molecules Peter Schuster

Institut für Theoretische Chemie, Universität Wien, Austria and The Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA EXYSTENCE Course on Complexity in Real-World Systems ISI, Torino, 13.– 25.03.2006

Web-Page for further information: http://www.tbi.univie.ac.at/~pks

Genotype, Genome Phenotype

Unfolding of the genotype

Highly specific environmental conditions Developmental program

Collection of genes

Evolution explains the origin of species and their interactions

Genotype, Genome

GCGGATTTAGCTCAGTTGGGAGAGCGCCAGACTGAAGATCTGGAGGTCCTGTGTTCGATCCACAGAATTCGCACCA

Phenotype

Unfolding of the genotype

Highly specific environmental conditions

James D. Watson und Francis H.C. Crick

Biochemistry molecular biology structural biology molecular evolution molecular genetics systems biology bioinfomatics

Hemoglobin sequence Gerhard Braunitzer The exciting RNA story evolution of RNA molecules, ribozymes and splicing, the idea of an RNA world, selection of RNA molecules, RNA editing, the ribosome is a ribozyme, small RNAs and RNA switches.

Omics

‘the new biology is the chemistry of living matter’ Molecular evolution Linus Pauling and Emile Zuckerkandl Manfred Eigen Max Perutz John Kendrew

Three necessary conditions for Darwinian evolution are: 1. Multiplication, 2. Variation, and 3. Selection. Variation through mutation and recombination operates on the genotype whereas the phenotype is the target of selection. One important property of the Darwinian scenario is that variations in the form of mutations or recombination events occur uncorrelated with their effects on the selection process. All conditions can be fulfilled not only by cellular organisms but also by nucleic acid molecules in suitable cell-free experimental assays.

Generation time Selection and adaptation 10 000 generations Genetic drift in small populations 106 generations Genetic drift in large populations 107 generations RNA molecules 10 sec 1 min 27.8 h = 1.16 d 6.94 d 115.7 d 1.90 a 3.17 a 19.01 a RNA viruses 5 min 34.72 d 9.51 a 95.13 a Bacteria 20 min 10 h 138.9 d 11.40 a 38.03 a 1 140 a 380 a 11 408 a Multicelluar organisms 10 d 20 a 274 a 200 000 a 27 380 a 2 × 107 a 273 800 a 2 × 108 a

1. Evolution experiments 2. Molecular evolution of RNA 3. Neutral networks 4. Evolutionary optimization of RNA structure 5. Kinetic structures and switching molecules

• 1. Evolution experiments

2. Molecular evolution of RNA 3. Neutral networks 4. Evolutionary optimization of RNA structure 5. Kinetic structures and switching molecules

Bacterial Evolution

• S. F. Elena, V. S. Cooper, R. E. Lenski. Punctuated evolution caused by selection of

rare beneficial mutants. Science 272 (1996), 1802-1804

• D. Papadopoulos, D. Schneider, J. Meier-Eiss, W. Arber, R. E. Lenski, M. Blot.

Genomic evolution during a 10,000-generation experiment with bacteria. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 96 (1999), 3807-3812

1 year

Epochal evolution of bacteria in serial transfer experiments under constant conditions

• S. F. Elena, V. S. Cooper, R. E. Lenski. Punctuated evolution caused by selection of rare beneficial mutants.

Science 272 (1996), 1802-1804

Variation of genotypes in a bacterial serial transfer experiment

• D. Papadopoulos, D. Schneider, J. Meier-Eiss, W. Arber, R. E. Lenski, M. Blot. Genomic evolution during a

10,000-generation experiment with bacteria. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 96 (1999), 3807-3812

Evolution of RNA molecules based on Qβ phage

D.R.Mills, R,L,Peterson, S.Spiegelman, An extracellular Darwinian experiment with a self-duplicating nucleic acid molecule. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA 58 (1967), 217-224 S.Spiegelman, An approach to the experimental analysis of precellular evolution. Quart.Rev.Biophys. 4 (1971), 213-253 C.K.Biebricher, Darwinian selection of self-replicating RNA molecules. Evolutionary Biology 16 (1983), 1-52 C.K.Biebricher, W.C. Gardiner, Molecular evolution of RNA in vitro. Biophysical Chemistry 66 (1997), 179-192 G.Strunk, T. Ederhof, Machines for automated evolution experiments in vitro based on the serial transfer concept. Biophysical Chemistry 66 (1997), 193-202

RNA sample Stock solution: Q RNA-replicase, ATP, CTP, GTP and UTP, buffer

• Time

1 2 3 4 5 6 69 70 The serial transfer technique applied to RNA evolution in vitro

Reproduction of the original figure of the serial transfer experiment with Q RNA β D.R.Mills, R,L,Peterson, S.Spiegelman, . Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA (1967), 217-224 An extracellular Darwinian experiment with a self-duplicating nucleic acid molecule 58

The increase in RNA production rate during a serial transfer experiment

Evolutionary design of RNA molecules

D.B.Bartel, J.W.Szostak, In vitro selection of RNA molecules that bind specific ligands. Nature 346 (1990), 818-822 C.Tuerk, L.Gold, SELEX - Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment: RNA ligands to bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase. Science 249 (1990), 505-510 D.P.Bartel, J.W.Szostak, Isolation of new ribozymes from a large pool of random sequences. Science 261 (1993), 1411-1418 R.D.Jenison, S.C.Gill, A.Pardi, B.Poliski, High-resolution molecular discrimination by RNA. Science 263 (1994), 1425-1429

• Y. Wang, R.R.Rando, Specific binding of aminoglycoside antibiotics to RNA. Chemistry &

Biology 2 (1995), 281-290 Jiang, A. K. Suri, R. Fiala, D. J. Patel, Saccharide-RNA recognition in an aminoglycoside antibiotic-RNA aptamer complex. Chemistry & Biology 4 (1997), 35-50

An example of ‘artificial selection’ with RNA molecules or ‘breeding’ of biomolecules

The SELEX technique for the evolutionary preparation of aptamers

tobramycin

A A A A A C C C C C C C C G G G G G G G G U U U U U U

5’- 3’-

A A A A A U U U U U U C C C C C C C C G G G G G G G G

5’-

• 3’

RNA aptamer

Formation of secondary structure of the tobramycin binding RNA aptamer with KD = 9 nM

• L. Jiang, A. K. Suri, R. Fiala, D. J. Patel, Saccharide-RNA recognition in an aminoglycoside antibiotic-

RNA aptamer complex. Chemistry & Biology 4:35-50 (1997)

The three-dimensional structure of the tobramycin aptamer complex

• L. Jiang, A. K. Suri, R. Fiala, D. J. Patel,

Chemistry & Biology 4:35-50 (1997)

1. Evolution experiments

• 2. Molecular evolution of RNA

3. Neutral networks 4. Evolutionary optimization of RNA structure 5. Kinetic structures and switching molecules

Complementary replication is the simplest copying mechanism

• f RNA.

Complementarity is determined by Watson-Crick base pairs: GC and A=U

Complementary replication as the simplest molecular mechanism of reproduction

Equation for complementary replication: [Ii] = xi 0 , fi > 0 ; i=1,2 Solutions are obtained by integrating factor transformation

f x f x f x x x x f dt dx x x f dt dx = + = = + − = − =

2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1

; 1 ; , φ φ φ

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 , 2 2 , 1

; ) ( ) ( ) ( , ) ( ) ( ) ( exp ) ( exp ) ( exp exp f f f x f x f x f x f t f f f t f f f t f t f f t x = − = + = − ⋅ − − ⋅ + − ⋅ + ⋅ = γ γ γ γ γ γ ) ( exp as ) ( and ) (

2 1 1 2 2 1 2 1

→ − + → + → ft f f f t x f f f t x

dx / dt = x - x x

i i i j j

; Σ = 1 ; i,j f f

i j

Φ Φ fi Φ = ( = Σ x

• i

)

j j

x =1,2,...,n [I ] = x 0 ;

i i

i =1,2,...,n ; Ii I1 I2 I1 I2 I1 I2 I i I n I i I n I n

+ + + + + +

(A) + (A) + (A) + (A) + (A) + (A) + fn fi f1 f2 I m I m I m

+

(A) + (A) + fm fm fj = max { ; j=1,2,...,n} xm(t) 1 for t

• [A] = a = constant

Reproduction of organisms or replication of molecules as the basis of selection

( )

{ }

var

2 2 1

≥ = − = = ∑

=

f f f dt dx f dt d

i n i i

φ

Selection equation: [Ii] = xi 0 , fi > 0 Mean fitness or dilution flux, φ (t), is a non-decreasing function of time, Solutions are obtained by integrating factor transformation

( )

f x f x n i f x dt dx

n j j j n i i i i i

= = = = − =

∑ ∑

= = 1 1

; 1 ; , , 2 , 1 , φ φ L

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

( )

n i t f x t f x t x

j n j j i i i

, , 2 , 1 ; exp exp

1

L = ⋅ ⋅ =

∑

=

Selection between three species with f1 = 1, f2 = 2, and f3 = 3

Changes in RNA sequences originate from replication errors called mutations. Mutations occur uncorrelated to their consequences in the selection process and are, therefore, commonly characterized as random elements of evolution.

G G G C C C G C C G C C C G C C C G C G G G G C

Plus Strand Plus Strand Minus Strand Plus Strand 3' 3' 3' 3' 5' 3' 5' 5' 5'

Point Mutation Insertion Deletion

GAA AA UCCCG GAAUCC A CGA GAA AA UCCCGUCCCG GAAUCCA

The origins of changes in RNA sequences are replication errors called mutations.

Ij In I2 Ii I1 I j I j I j I j I j I j

+ + + + +

(A) + fj Qj1 fj Qj2 fj Qji fj Qjj fj Qjn Q (1- )

ij

• d(i,j)

d(i,j)

=

l

p p

p .......... Error rate per digit d(i,j) .... Hamming distance between Ii and Ij ........... Chain length of the polynucleotide l

dx / dt = x - x x

i j j i j j

Σ

; Σ = 1 ; f f x

j j j i

Φ Φ = Σ Qji Qij

Σi

= 1 [A] = a = constant [Ii] = xi 0 ;

• i =1,2,...,n ;

Chemical kinetics of replication and mutation as parallel reactions

Mutation-selection equation: [Ii] = xi 0, fi > 0, Qij 0 Solutions are obtained after integrating factor transformation by means

• f an eigenvalue problem

f x f x n i x x Q f dt dx

n j j j n i i i j n j ji j i

= = = = − =

∑ ∑ ∑

= = = 1 1 1

; 1 ; , , 2 , 1 , φ φ L

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

) ( ) ( ; , , 2 , 1 ; exp exp

1 1 1 1

∑ ∑ ∑ ∑

= = − = − =

= = ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ =

n i i ki k n j k k n k jk k k n k ik i

x h c n i t c t c t x L l l λ λ

{ } { } { }

n j i h H L n j i L n j i Q f W

ij ij ij i

, , 2 , 1 , ; ; , , 2 , 1 , ; ; , , 2 , 1 , ;

1

L L l L = = = = = = ÷

−

{ }

1 , , 1 , ;

1

− = = Λ = ⋅ ⋅

−

n k L W L

k

L λ

Formation of a quasispecies in sequence space

Formation of a quasispecies in sequence space

Formation of a quasispecies in sequence space

Formation of a quasispecies in sequence space

Uniform distribution in sequence space

Quasispecies

The error threshold in replication

1. Evolution experiments 2. Molecular evolution of RNA

• 3. Neutral networks

4. Evolutionary optimization of RNA structure 5. Kinetic structures and switching molecules

O CH2 OH O O P O O O

N1

O CH2 OH O P O O O

N2

O CH2 OH O P O O O

N3

O CH2 OH O P O O O

N4

N A U G C

k =

, , ,

3' - end 5' - end Na Na Na Na

5'-end 3’-end

GCGGAU AUUCGC UUA AGUUGGGA G CUGAAGA AGGUC UUCGAUC A ACCA GCUC GAGC CCAGA UCUGG CUGUG CACAG

Definition of RNA structure

N = 4n NS < 3n Criterion: Minimum free energy (mfe) Rules: _ ( _ ) _ {AU,CG,GC,GU,UA,UG} A symbolic notation of RNA secondary structure that is equivalent to the conventional graphs

RNA sequence RNA structure

• f minimal free

energy

RNA folding: Structural biology, spectroscopy of biomolecules, understanding molecular function Empirical parameters Biophysical chemistry: thermodynamics and kinetics

Sequence, structure, and design

G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G U U U U U U U U U U U A A A A A A A A A A A A U C C C C C C C C C C C C 5’-end 3’-end

S1

(h)

S9

(h)

F r e e e n e r g y G

• Minimum of free energy

Suboptimal conformations

S0

(h) S2

(h)

S3

(h)

S4

(h)

S7

(h)

S6

(h)

S5

(h)

S8

(h)

The minimum free energy structures on a discrete space of conformations

RNA sequence RNA structure

• f minimal free

energy

RNA folding: Structural biology, spectroscopy of biomolecules, understanding molecular function Inverse Folding Algorithm Iterative determination

• f a sequence for the

given secondary structure

Sequence, structure, and design

Inverse folding of RNA: Biotechnology, design of biomolecules with predefined structures and functions

UUUAGCCAGCGCGAGUCGUGCGGACGGGGUUAUCUCUGUCGGGCUAGGGCGC GUGAGCGCGGGGCACAGUUUCUCAAGGAUGUAAGUUUUUGCCGUUUAUCUGG UUAGCGAGAGAGGAGGCUUCUAGACCCAGCUCUCUGGGUCGUUGCUGAUGCG CAUUGGUGCUAAUGAUAUUAGGGCUGUAUUCCUGUAUAGCGAUCAGUGUCCG GUAGGCCCUCUUGACAUAAGAUUUUUCCAAUGGUGGGAGAUGGCCAUUGCAG

Minimum free energy criterion Inverse folding

1st 2nd 3rd trial 4th 5th

The inverse folding algorithm searches for sequences that form a given RNA secondary structure under the minimum free energy criterion.

A mapping and its inversion

• Gk =

( ) | ( ) =

• 1

U

• S

I S

k j j k

I

( ) = I S

j k Space of genotypes: = { I

S I I I I I S S S S S

1 2 3 4 N 1 2 3 4 M

, , , , ... , } ; Hamming metric Space of phenotypes: , , , , ... , } ; metric (not required) N M = {

Degree of neutrality of neutral networks and the connectivity threshold

A multi-component neutral network formed by a rare structure: < cr

A connected neutral network formed by a common structure: > cr

Reference for postulation and in silico verification of neutral networks

1. Evolution experiments 2. Molecular evolution of RNA 3. Neutral networks

• 4. Evolutionary optimization of RNA structure

5. Kinetic structures and switching molecules

Computer simulation of RNA optimization

Walter Fontana and Peter Schuster, Biophysical Chemistry 26:123-147, 1987 Walter Fontana, Wolfgang Schnabl, and Peter Schuster, Phys.Rev.A 40:3301-3321, 1989

Walter Fontana, Wolfgang Schnabl, and Peter Schuster, Phys.Rev.A 40:3301-3321, 1989

Evolution in silico

• W. Fontana, P. Schuster,

Science 280 (1998), 1451-1455

Replication rate constant: fk = / [ + dS

(k)]

dS

(k) = dH(Sk,S)

Selection constraint: Population size, N = # RNA molecules, is controlled by the flow Mutation rate: p = 0.001 / site replication N N t N ± ≈ ) ( The flowreactor as a device for studies of evolution in vitro and in silico

Phenylalanyl-tRNA as target structure Randomly chosen initial structure

S{ = ( ) I{ f S

{ {

ƒ = ( )

S{ f{ I{

Mutation Genotype-Phenotype Mapping Evaluation of the Phenotype

Q{

j

I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 In

Q

f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 fn

I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I{ In+1 f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f{ fn+1

Q

Evolutionary dynamics including molecular phenotypes

In silico optimization in the flow reactor: Evolutionary Trajectory

28 neutral point mutations during a long quasi-stationary epoch Transition inducing point mutations change the molecular structure Neutral point mutations leave the molecular structure unchanged

Neutral genotype evolution during phenotypic stasis

Evolutionary trajectory Spreading of the population

• n neutral networks

Drift of the population center in sequence space

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network: t = 150

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 170

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 200

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 350

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 500

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 650

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 820

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 825

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 830

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 835

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 840

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 845

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 850

Spreading and evolution of a population on a neutral network : t = 855

Mount Fuji

Example of a smooth landscape on Earth

Dolomites Bryce Canyon

Examples of rugged landscapes on Earth

Genotype Space Fitness

Start of Walk End of Walk

Evolutionary optimization in absence of neutral paths in sequence space

Genotype Space F i t n e s s

Start of Walk End of Walk Random Drift Periods Adaptive Periods

Evolutionary optimization including neutral paths in sequence space

Grand Canyon

Example of a landscape on Earth with ‘neutral’ ridges and plateaus

1. Evolution experiments 2. Molecular evolution of RNA 3. Neutral networks 4. Evolutionary optimization of RNA structure

• 5. Kinetic structures and switching molecules

5.10 5.90

2

2.90

8 14 15 18

2.60

17 23 19 27 22 38 45 25 36 33 39 40

3.10

43

3.40

41

3.30 7.40

5 3 7

3.00

4 10 9

3.40

6 13 12

3.10

11 21 20 16 28 29 26 30 32 42 46 44 24 35 34 37 49

2.80

31 47 48

S0 S1 Kinetic structures Free Energy

S0 S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S10 S9

Minimum free energy structure Suboptimal structures One sequence - one structure Many suboptimal structures Partition function Metastable structures Conformational switches

RNA secondary structures derived from a single sequence

The Folding Algorithm

A sequence I specifies an energy ordered set of compatible structures S(I):

S(I) = {S0 , S1 , … , Sm , O}

A trajectory Tk(I) is a time ordered series of structures in S(I). A folding trajectory is defined by starting with the open chain O and ending with the global minimum free energy structure S0 or a metastable structure Sk which represents a local energy minimum:

T0(I) = {O , S (1) , … , S (t-1) , S (t) , S (t+1) , … , S0} Tk(I) = {O , S (1) , … , S (t-1) , S (t) , S (t+1) , … , Sk}

Master equation

( )

1 , , 1 , ) ( ) (

1 1 1

+ = − = − =

∑ ∑ ∑

+ = + = + =

m k k P P k t P t P dt dP

m i ki k i m i ik m i ki ik k

K

Transition probabilities Pij(t) = Prob{Si→Sj} are defined by

Pij(t) = Pi(t) kij = Pi(t) exp(-∆Gij/2RT) / Σi Pji(t) = Pj(t) kji = Pj(t) exp(-∆Gji/2RT) / Σj exp(-∆Gki/2RT)

The symmetric rule for transition rate parameters is due to Kawasaki (K. Kawasaki, Diffusion constants near the critical point for time depen-dent Ising models. Phys.Rev. 145:224-230, 1966).

∑

+ ≠ =

= Σ

2 , 1 m i k k k

Formulation of kinetic RNA folding as a stochastic process

Corresponds to base pair distance: dP(S1,S2) Base pair formation and base pair cleavage moves for nucleation and elongation of stacks

Base pair closure, opening and shift corresponds to Hamming distance: dH(S1,S2) Base pair shift move of class 1: Shift inside internal loops or bulges

Sh S1

(h)

S6

(h)

S7

(h)

S5

(h)

S2

(h)

S9

(h)

Free energy G

• Local minimum

Suboptimal conformations

Search for local minima in conformation space

F r e e e n e r g y G

• "Reaction coordinate"

Sk S{ Saddle point T

{ k

F r e e e n e r g y G

• Sk

S{ T

{ k

"Barrier tree"

Definition of a ‚barrier tree‘

CUGCGGCUUUGGCUCUAGCC ....((((........)))) -4.30 (((.(((....))).))).. -3.50 (((..((....))..))).. -3.10 ..........(((....))) -2.80 ..(((((....)))...)). -2.20 ....(((..........))) -2.20 ((..(((....)))..)).. -2.00 ..((.((....))....)). -1.60 ....(((....)))...... -1.60 .....(((........))). -1.50 .((.(((....))).))... -1.40 ....((((..(...).)))) -1.40 .((..((....))..))... -1.00 (((.(((....)).)))).. -0.90 (((.((......)).))).. -0.90 ....((((..(....))))) -0.80 .....((....))....... -0.80 ..(.(((....))))..... -0.60 ....(((....)).)..... -0.60 (((..(......)..))).. -0.50 ..(((((....)).)..)). -0.50 ..(.(((....))).).... -0.40 ..((.......))....... -0.30 ..........((......)) -0.30 ...........((....)). -0.30 (((.(((....)))).)).. -0.20 ....(((.(.......)))) -0.20 ....(((..((....))))) -0.20 ..(..((....))..).... 0.00 .................... 0.00 .(..(((....)))..)... 0.10

M.T. Wolfinger, W.A. Svrcek-Seiler, C. Flamm, I.L. Hofacker, P.F. Stadler. 2004. J.Phys.A: Math.Gen. 37:4731-4741.

CUGCGGCUUUGGCUCUAGCC ....((((........)))) -4.30 (((.(((....))).))).. -3.50 (((..((....))..))).. -3.10 ..........(((....))) -2.80 ..(((((....)))...)). -2.20 ....(((..........))) -2.20 ((..(((....)))..)).. -2.00 ..((.((....))....)). -1.60 ....(((....)))...... -1.60 .....(((........))). -1.50 .((.(((....))).))... -1.40 ....((((..(...).)))) -1.40 .((..((....))..))... -1.00 (((.(((....)).)))).. -0.90 (((.((......)).))).. -0.90 ....((((..(....))))) -0.80 .....((....))....... -0.80 ..(.(((....))))..... -0.60 ....(((....)).)..... -0.60 (((..(......)..))).. -0.50 ..(((((....)).)..)). -0.50 ..(.(((....))).).... -0.40 ..((.......))....... -0.30 ..........((......)) -0.30 ...........((....)). -0.30 (((.(((....)))).)).. -0.20 ....(((.(.......)))) -0.20 ....(((..((....))))) -0.20 ..(..((....))..).... 0.00 .................... 0.00 .(..(((....)))..)... 0.10

M.T. Wolfinger, W.A. Svrcek-Seiler, C. Flamm, I.L. Hofacker, P.F. Stadler. 2004. J.Phys.A: Math.Gen. 37:4731-4741.

Arrhenius kinetics M.T. Wolfinger, W.A. Svrcek-Seiler, C. Flamm, I.L. Hofacker, P.F. Stadler. 2004. J.Phys.A: Math.Gen. 37:4731-4741.

Arrhenius kinetic Exact solution of the master equation M.T. Wolfinger, W.A. Svrcek-Seiler, C. Flamm, I.L. Hofacker, P.F. Stadler. 2004. J.Phys.A: Math.Gen. 37:4731-4741.

Reference for the definition of the intersection and the proof of the intersection theorem

JN1LH

1D 1D 1D 2D 2D 2D R R R

G GGGUGGAAC GUUC GAAC GUUCCUCCC CACGAG CACGAG CACGAG

• 28.6 kcal·mol
• 1

G/

• 31.8 kcal·mol
• 1

G G G G G G C C C C C C A A U U U U G G C C U U A A G G G C C C A A A A G C G C A A G C /G

• 28.2 kcal·mol
• 1

G G G G G G GG CCC C C C C C U G G G G C C C C A A A A A A A A U U U U U G G C C A A

• 28.6 kcal·mol
• 1

3 3 3 13 13 13 23 23 23 33 33 33 44 44 44

5' 5' 3’ 3’

J.H.A. Nagel, C. Flamm, I.L. Hofacker, K. Franke, M.H. de Smit, P. Schuster, and C.W.A. Pleij. Structural parameters affecting the kinetic competition of RNA hairpin formation, Nucleic Acids Res., in press 2005.

An RNA switch

4 5 8 9 11

1 9 2 2 4 2 5 2 7 3 3 3 4

36

38 39 41 46 47

3

49

1

2 6 7 10

1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 2 1 22 2 3 2 6 2 8 2 9 3 3 1 32 3 5 3 7

40

4 2 4 3 44 45 48 50

• 26.0
• 28.0
• 30.0
• 32.0
• 34.0
• 36.0
• 38.0
• 40.0
• 42.0
• 44.0
• 46.0
• 48.0
• 50.0

2.77 5.32 2 . 9 3.4 2.36 2 . 4 4 2.44 2.44 1.46 1.44 1.66

1.9

2.14

2.51 2.14 2.51

2 . 1 4 1 . 4 7

1.49

3.04 2.97 3.04 4.88 6.13 6 . 8 2.89

Free energy [kcal / mole]

J1LH barrier tree

A ribozyme switch

E.A.Schultes, D.B.Bartel, Science 289 (2000), 448-452

Two ribozymes of chain lengths n = 88 nucleotides: An artificial ligase (A) and a natural cleavage ribozyme of hepatitis--virus (B)

The sequence at the intersection: An RNA molecules which is 88 nucleotides long and can form both structures

Two neutral walks through sequence space with conservation of structure and catalytic activity

Acknowledgement of support

Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF) Projects No. 09942, 10578, 11065, 13093 13887, and 14898 Wiener Wissenschafts-, Forschungs- und Technologiefonds (WWTF) Project No. Mat05 Jubiläumsfonds der Österreichischen Nationalbank Project No. Nat-7813 European Commission: Contracts No. 98-0189, 12835 (NEST) Austrian Genome Research Program – GEN-AU: Bioinformatics Network (BIN) Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften Siemens AG, Austria Universität Wien and the Santa Fe Institute

Universität Wien

Coworkers

Peter Stadler, Bärbel M. Stadler, Universität Leipzig, GE Paul E. Phillipson, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO Heinz Engl, Philipp Kügler, James Lu, Stefan Müller, RICAM Linz, AT Jord Nagel, Kees Pleij, Universiteit Leiden, NL Walter Fontana, Harvard Medical School, MA Christian Reidys, Christian Forst, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM Ulrike Göbel, Walter Grüner, Stefan Kopp, Jaqueline Weber, Institut für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Jena, GE Ivo L.Hofacker, Christoph Flamm, Andreas Svrček-Seiler, Universität Wien, AT Kurt Grünberger, Michael Kospach , Andreas Wernitznig, Stefanie Widder, Stefan Wuchty, Universität Wien, AT Jan Cupal, Stefan Bernhart, Lukas Endler, Ulrike Langhammer, Rainer Machne, Ulrike Mückstein, Hakim Tafer, Thomas Taylor, Universität Wien, AT

Universität Wien

Web-Page for further information: http://www.tbi.univie.ac.at/~pks