Biomaterial Database

Conformation of viroids. 1977

K Henco, and D Riesner, and H L Sanger

Viroids are uncoated infectious RNA molecules (MW 107 000-127 000) known as pathogens of certain higher plants. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies were carried out on highly purified viroid preparations by applying UV-absorption melting analysis and temperature jump methods. The thermal denaturation of viroids is characterized by high thermal stability, high cooperativity and a high degree of base pairing. Two relaxation processes could be resolved; a process in the sec range could be evaluated as an independent all-or-none-transition with the following properties: reaction enthalpy= 550 kcal/mol, activation enthalpy of the dissociation = 470 kcal/mol; G : C content = 72 %. These data indicate the existence of an uninterrupted double helix of 52 base pairs. A process in the msec range involves 15 - 25 base pairs which are most probably distributed over several short double helical stretches. A tentative model for the secondary structure of viroids isproposed and the possible functional implications of their physicochemical properties are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D009690	Nucleic Acid Conformation	The spatial arrangement of the atoms of a nucleic acid or polynucleotide that results in its characteristic 3-dimensional shape.	DNA Conformation,RNA Conformation,Conformation, DNA,Conformation, Nucleic Acid,Conformation, RNA,Conformations, DNA,Conformations, Nucleic Acid,Conformations, RNA,DNA Conformations,Nucleic Acid Conformations,RNA Conformations
D009691	Nucleic Acid Denaturation	Disruption of the secondary structure of nucleic acids by heat, extreme pH or chemical treatment. Double strand DNA is "melted" by dissociation of the non-covalent hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Denatured DNA appears to be a single-stranded flexible structure. The effects of denaturation on RNA are similar though less pronounced and largely reversible.	DNA Denaturation,DNA Melting,RNA Denaturation,Acid Denaturation, Nucleic,Denaturation, DNA,Denaturation, Nucleic Acid,Denaturation, RNA,Nucleic Acid Denaturations
D010935	Plant Diseases	Diseases of plants.	Disease, Plant,Diseases, Plant,Plant Disease
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D002621	Chemistry	A basic science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter; and the reactions that occur between substances and the associated energy exchange.
D003597	Cytosine Nucleotides	A group of pyrimidine NUCLEOTIDES which contain CYTOSINE.	Cytidine Phosphates,Nucleotides, Cytosine,Phosphates, Cytidine
D006150	Guanine Nucleotides		Guanine Nucleotide,Guanosine Phosphates,Nucleotide, Guanine,Nucleotides, Guanine,Phosphates, Guanosine
D012265	Ribonucleotides	Nucleotides in which the purine or pyrimidine base is combined with ribose. (Dorland, 28th ed)	Ribonucleoside Phosphates,Ribonucleotide,Phosphates, Ribonucleoside
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