Se-derivatized RNAs for X-ray crystallography

Abstract

Selenium derivatization of RNA is an important strategy for crystal structure determination and functional studies of noncoding RNAs and protein-RNA interactions. We describe here the synthesis of nucleoside 5′-(α-P- seleno)-triphosphate analogs (Se-NTPs) and their use in vitro transcription and purification of Se-derivatized RNA samples (phosphoroselenoate RNA, PSe-RNA). © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.