Ribosomal protein S19-binding domain provides insights into hantavirus nucleocapsid protein-mediated translation initiation mechanism.

The hantaviral zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat to human health due to the lack of potential antiviral therapeutics or a vaccine against hantaviruses. N (Sin Nombre hantavirus nucleocapsid protein) augments mRNA translation. N binds to both the mRNA 5' cap and 40S ribosomal subunit via RPS19 (ribosomal protein S19).

Requirement of upstream Hfq-binding (ARN)x elements in glmS and the Hfq C-terminal region for GlmS upregulation by sRNAs GlmZ and GlmY.

Hfq is an important RNA-binding protein that helps bacteria adapt to stress. Its primary function is to promote pairing between trans-acting small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) and their target mRNAs. Identification of essential Hfq-binding motifs in up-stream regions of rpoS and fhlA led us to ask the question whether these elements are a common occurrence among other Hfq-dependent mRNAs as well.

An upstream Hfq binding site in the fhlA mRNA leader region facilitates the OxyS-fhlA interaction.

Background: To survive, bacteria must be able to adapt to environmental stresses. Small regulatory RNAs have been implicated as intermediates in a variety of stress-response pathways allowing dynamic gene regulation. The RNA binding protein Hfq facilitates this process in many cases, helping sRNAs base pair with their target mRNAs and initiate gene regulation.

Isothermal titration calorimetry of RNA.

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a fast and robust method to study the physical basis of molecular interactions. A single well-designed experiment can provide complete thermodynamic characterization of a binding reaction, including K(a), DeltaG, DeltaH, DeltaS and reaction stoichiometry (n). Repeating the experiment at different temperatures allows determination of the heat capacity change (DeltaC(P)) of the interaction.