The Evaluation of SHAPE-MaP RNA Structure Probing Protocols Reveals a Novel Role of Mn in the Detection of 2'-OH Adducts.

Chemical probing, for decades, has been one of the most popular tools for studying the secondary structure of RNA molecules. Recently, protocols for simultaneous analysis of multiple RNAs have been developed, enabling in vivo transcriptome-wide interrogation of the RNA structure dynamics. One of the most popular methods is the selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension and mutational profiling (SHAPE-MaP).

The Role of RNA Secondary Structure in Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria.

Due to the high exposition to changing environmental conditions, bacteria have developed many mechanisms enabling immediate adjustments of gene expression. In many cases, the required speed and plasticity of the response are provided by RNA-dependent regulatory mechanisms. This is possible due to the very high dynamics and flexibility of an RNA structure, which provide the necessary sensitivity and specificity for efficient sensing and transduction of environmental signals.