Hello All, I am looking for some advice from some experienced RNA crystallographers. I would like to order some relatively short (<90 bases) synthetic RNAs for crystallization trials. I was wondering if anyone could comment on the use of synthetic RNAs for crystallization. Specifically, what is the longest synthetic RNA that can be used for crystallization trials? I've seen some structures in the PDB that are up to 88 bases and are reported to have been obtained with synthetic constructs (3OWI - glycine riboswitch), but I don't really know if that's routine or if it's an exceptional case. Also, for those who have experience with the use of synthetic RNAs, I was wondering where people generally order their synthetic constructs from? Our resident expert in RNA crystallography recommended a company called Dharmacon (part of ThermoFisher), but I was hoping that I might get some other opinions as to which companies make the best quality oligonucleotides, provide samples with the highest purity, and have the most reasonable prices.
Thanks in advance for the help! Mike -- Michael C. Thompson Graduate Student Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Division Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry University of California, Los Angeles [email protected]
