Folding into higher-order structures allows RNAs to function inside living cells and form dynamic complexes with effector proteins. Predicting these 3D structures is challenging and therefore a number of probing techniques have been developed to study RNA folding.Compounds such as 2-methylnicotinic acid imidazolide (NAI) contained the In Vivo SHAPE Reagent result in the formation of 2-O-adducts. These adducts form rapidly on single stranded unpaired RNA and much more slowly on based paired (double stranded) RNA. Modified RNA can then be analyzed by primer extension. Modified nucleotides are not extended by RNA dependent DNA polymerases thus allowing sites of modification to be detected.
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