Reversible unfolding of single RNA molecules by mechanical force |
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Authors: | Liphardt J Onoa B Smith S B Tinoco I Bustamante C |
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Institution: | Department of Chemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. jliphard@alice.berkeley.gov |
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Abstract: | Here we use mechanical force to induce the unfolding and refolding of single RNA molecules: a simple RNA hairpin, a molecule containing a three-helix junction, and the P5abc domain of the Tetrahymena thermophila ribozyme. All three molecules (P5abc only in the absence of Mg2+) can be mechanically unfolded at equilibrium, and when kept at constant force within a critical force range, are bi-stable and hop between folded and unfolded states. We determine the force-dependent equilibrium constants for folding/unfolding these single RNA molecules and the positions of their transition states along the reaction coordinate. |
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