RNA Base Pairing Determines the Conformations of RNA Inside Spherical Viruses

TL;DR

This study investigates how RNA base pairing influences its conformation inside spherical viruses, revealing phase transitions that explain observed RNA structures within viral capsids.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of base pairing strength in RNA conformational transitions inside viral shells, providing new insights into viral RNA organization.

Findings

RNA undergoes a coil-to-globule transition with increasing base pairing

First order transition observed as a function of RNA length

Transitions explain diverse RNA profiles in viral capsids

Abstract

Many simple RNA viruses enclose their genetic material by a protein shell called the capsid. While the capsid structures are well characterized for most viruses, the structure of RNA inside the shells and the factors contributing to it remain poorly understood. We study the impact of base pairing on the conformations of RNA and find that it undergoes a swollen coil to globule continuous transition as a function of the strength of the pairing interaction. We also observe a first order transition and kink profile as a function of RNA length. All these transitions could explain the different RNA profiles observed inside viral shells.