Biomaterial Database

Mapping RNA-protein interactions using hydroxyl-radical footprinting. 2014

Timothy W Nilsen

The binding of a protein to an RNA sequence protects the region of the RNA from cleavage by chemicals or RNases; this protected region is known as the protein's "footprint." In the footprinting protocol presented here, end-labeled RNAs with and without bound protein are cleaved using chemical methods. Fe(II)-EDTA is used to generate hydroxyl radicals in the presence of a reducing agent. These hydroxyl radicals indiscriminately cleave ribose groups in regions of the ribose-phosphate backbone that are exposed to solvent. After termination of cleavage, the resulting RNA fragments are analyzed by gel electrophoresis on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Because hydroxyl radicals are smaller and cleave less specifically than RNases, this approach, if feasible, is often the method of choice for monitoring sites of RNA-protein interactions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001483	Base Sequence	The sequence of PURINES and PYRIMIDINES in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide sequence.	DNA Sequence,Nucleotide Sequence,RNA Sequence,DNA Sequences,Base Sequences,Nucleotide Sequences,RNA Sequences,Sequence, Base,Sequence, DNA,Sequence, Nucleotide,Sequence, RNA,Sequences, Base,Sequences, DNA,Sequences, Nucleotide,Sequences, RNA
D012313	RNA	A polynucleotide consisting essentially of chains with a repeating backbone of phosphate and ribose units to which nitrogenous bases are attached. RNA is unique among biological macromolecules in that it can encode genetic information, serve as an abundant structural component of cells, and also possesses catalytic activity. (Rieger et al., Glossary of Genetics: Classical and Molecular, 5th ed)	RNA, Non-Polyadenylated,Ribonucleic Acid,Gene Products, RNA,Non-Polyadenylated RNA,Acid, Ribonucleic,Non Polyadenylated RNA,RNA Gene Products,RNA, Non Polyadenylated
D016601	RNA-Binding Proteins	Proteins that bind to RNA molecules. Included here are RIBONUCLEOPROTEINS and other proteins whose function is to bind specifically to RNA.	Double-Stranded RNA-Binding Protein,Double-Stranded RNA-Binding Proteins,ds RNA-Binding Protein,RNA-Binding Protein,ds RNA-Binding Proteins,Double Stranded RNA Binding Protein,Double Stranded RNA Binding Proteins,Protein, Double-Stranded RNA-Binding,Protein, ds RNA-Binding,RNA Binding Protein,RNA Binding Proteins,RNA-Binding Protein, Double-Stranded,RNA-Binding Protein, ds,RNA-Binding Proteins, Double-Stranded,ds RNA Binding Protein
D017665	Hydroxyl Radical	The univalent radical OH. Hydroxyl radical is a potent oxidizing agent.
D023302	Protein Footprinting	A method for determining points of contact between interacting proteins or binding sites of proteins to nucleic acids. Protein footprinting utilizes a protein cutting reagent or protease. Protein cleavage is inhibited where the proteins, or nucleic acids and protein, contact each other. After completion of the cutting reaction, the remaining peptide fragments are analyzed by electrophoresis.	Footprints, Protein,Protein Footprints,Footprint, Protein,Footprinting, Protein,Protein Footprint
D025941	Protein Interaction Mapping	Methods for determining interaction between PROTEINS.	Interaction Mapping, Protein,Interaction Mappings, Protein,Mapping, Protein Interaction,Mappings, Protein Interaction,Protein Interaction Mappings