xrRNAs from flaviviruses survive in host cells because of their exceptional dichotomic response to the unfolding action of different enzymes. They can be unwound, and hence copied, by replicases, and yet can resist degradation by exonucleases. How the same stretch of xrRNA can encode such diverse responses is an open question. Here, by using atomistic models and translocation simulations, we uncover an elaborate and directional mechanism for how stress propagates when the two xrRNA ends, 5 ′ and 3 ′, are driven through a pore. Pulling the 3 ′ end, as done by replicases, elicits a progressive unfolding; pulling the 5 ′ end, as done by exonucleases, triggers a counterintuitive molecular tightening. Thus, in what appears to be a remarkable instance of intra-molecular tensegrity, the very pulling of the 5 ′ end is what boosts resistance to translocation and consequently to degradation. The uncovered mechanistic principle might be co-opted to design molecular meta-materials.

Directional translocation resistance of Zika xrRNA / Suma, A.; Coronel, L.; Bussi, G.; Micheletti, C.. - In: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. - ISSN 2041-1723. - 11:1(2020), pp. 1-9. [10.1038/s41467-020-17508-7]

Directional translocation resistance of Zika xrRNA

Coronel L.;Bussi G.;Micheletti C.
2020-01-01

Abstract

xrRNAs from flaviviruses survive in host cells because of their exceptional dichotomic response to the unfolding action of different enzymes. They can be unwound, and hence copied, by replicases, and yet can resist degradation by exonucleases. How the same stretch of xrRNA can encode such diverse responses is an open question. Here, by using atomistic models and translocation simulations, we uncover an elaborate and directional mechanism for how stress propagates when the two xrRNA ends, 5 ′ and 3 ′, are driven through a pore. Pulling the 3 ′ end, as done by replicases, elicits a progressive unfolding; pulling the 5 ′ end, as done by exonucleases, triggers a counterintuitive molecular tightening. Thus, in what appears to be a remarkable instance of intra-molecular tensegrity, the very pulling of the 5 ′ end is what boosts resistance to translocation and consequently to degradation. The uncovered mechanistic principle might be co-opted to design molecular meta-materials.
2020
11
1
1
9
3749
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17508-7
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17508-7
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.17.157297v1.abstract
Suma, A.; Coronel, L.; Bussi, G.; Micheletti, C.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Suma_et_al_Pore_translocation_xRNAs_Nat_Commun_2020.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 2.01 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.01 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/116391
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 6
  • Scopus 13
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 14
social impact