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RNA is more than an intermediary between DNA and proteins, it also
modulates gene expression and catalyzes certain reactions.
Complementary base pairing condenses RNA into complex, compact shapes.
Hairpin or tree-like structures (Fig a) emerge most often, but occasionally the more
complicated pseudoknot fold (Fig b) appears.
Pseudoknots are not common, but have amazing functionality when they do appear,
catalyzing reactions as enzymes or performing other gene regulation functions.
For example, the core of most catalytic RNAs is the interesting pseudoknot fold.
Pseudoknots cannot be predicted using traditional RNA folding algorithms.
Aalberts and his students have been improving models of pseudoknot
structures and have been computing how abundant pseudoknots are.
[Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (MCB 0641995)]
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The figures depict the molecular backbone and the base pairs.
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