Impact of RNA Melting on Hydrating Water Structure Mapped by Femtosecond 2D-IR Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study uses femtosecond 2D-IR spectroscopy to map how RNA melting affects surrounding water structures, revealing a transition from ordered water to phosphate hydration shells at the molecular level.

Contribution

It provides detailed molecular insights into hydration changes during RNA melting, a novel application of femtosecond 2D-IR spectroscopy.

Findings

RNA melting causes a transition from ordered water to phosphate hydration shells.

Hydration geometries around RNA are mapped at the molecular level.

Disordering of RNA is linked with hydration shell changes.

Abstract

We discern hydration geometries around the sugar-phosphate-backbone of an RNA double helix at the molecular level. RNA disordering upon melting is connected with a transition from ordered water structures towards local phosphate group hydration shells.