Regulating RNA by Cations - Insights from Molecular Simulations (A11*)

• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 161793742

Positively charged cations are essential for the stability and function of RNA. In particular, changes in the local salt concentration or the type of cations present in solution immediately influence RNA regulatory elements and their regulatory functions. We will apply molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the fundamental interplay of cations and RNA regulation. We will focus on the mechanism of ion selectivity and exchange for the example of an RNA G-quadruplex. In addition, we aim to resolve the mechanism of cation sensing of the guanidine-II riboswitch.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 902: Molecular Principles of RNA-based Regulation
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Head: Professorin Nadine Schwierz, Ph.D., since 7/2019