Crystallization of RNA

S. R. Holbrook, E. L. Holbrook, H. E. Walukiewicz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Even as the number of RNA structures determined and under study multiplies, the critical step in X-ray diffraction analysis, growth of single well-ordered crystals, remains at the boundary between art and science. Recent advances in methods of RNA synthesis, purification, and characterization, as well as empirical and technical improvements in crystallization techniques, the development of cryo-crystallography, and the wider availability of bright, tunable, X-rays from synchrotron sources are improving the chances of obtaining RNA crystals suitable for X-ray structural analysis. In this review, we summarize the current status of the design, preparation, purification, and analysis of RNA for crystallization and describe the latest approaches to obtaining diffraction-quality crystals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)234-243
Number of pages10
JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Volume58
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • RNA crystal structure
  • RNA crystallization
  • Sparse matrix crystallization
  • X-ray crystallography
  • X-ray diffraction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

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