RNA Structure and Dynamics by Integrative Methods

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About this Research Topic

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Background

RNAs play diverse cellular functions, such as serving as templates for the synthesis of proteins, RNAs or DNAs, as catalytic centres for transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, translation, or as regulators of gene expression. The various roles of RNAs are dictated by their propensities to form complex and unique 3D structures and their readiness to acquire distinct 3D structures on their own or in response to a diverse array of cellular conditions. A deep understanding of RNA structure and dynamics and their connections to function is essential for not only elucidating key mechanisms underlying RNAs’ cellular roles but developing novel RNA-targeted or RNA-based therapeutics.

Currently, our knowledge about RNA structure and dynamics is still scarce. Conventional structural techniques, including X-ray crystallography, NMR and cryo-EM, have been limited to small RNAs, smaller fragments of large RNAs or large RNP due to RNA’s inherent flexibility and enhanced dynamics as size increases. There is a growing trend in the field to comprehensively analyse RNA structure and dynamics by multiple, complementary techniques, both experimental and computational, in other words，integrative methods. A variety of additional biophysical techniques, including small angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS), pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR/DEER) spectroscopy, SAXS-based X-ray scattering interferometry (XSI), single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET), single-molecule nanopore sensing, atomic force microscopy, optical and magnetic tweezers, mass spectrometry, computational prediction and modelling, can be combined to analyse RNA structure and dynamics, which offer an attractive approach for the study of large RNAs and complexes that are difficult to study by any individual method.

In recent years, there have been many advances in the development of methods and techniques for studying RNA structure and dynamics. In this research topic we aims to cover advancements in both methodology developments and applications of integrated computational and experimental techniques for investigating the structural and dynamic properties of RNAs. We welcome submissions of experts in the field to review a variety of integrative methods used to tackle the challenges associated with RNA structural and dynamic studies. The cases presented in this Research Topic will allow the reader to gain a foundation of knowledge about RNA structure and dynamics, as well as the current state-of-the-art methods being used to study such RNAs. We encourage authors to comment not only on the high potential of the relevant methods, but also on the open questions that are likely to drive further experiments aimed at understanding the structure and dynamics of RNAs.

This Research Topic will comprise Reviews, Mini Reviews and Research Articles, reflecting the current state-of-the-art integrative methods being used to study RNA structure and dynamics.
• Advances in methods and techniques for RNA structure and dynamics studies.
• Applications of integrative methods in RNA structural dynamics studies.
• Computational modeling of RNAs aided by experimental data.

Keywords: RNA, 3D structure, dynamics, experiments, computational modeling, integrative methods, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, NMR, EPR, SAXS, SANS, XSI, smFRET, nanopore sensing, AFM, optical/magnetic tweezers, chemical crosslinking-mass spectrometry, molecular dynamics simulation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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