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When RNA meets montmorillonite: Influence of the pH and divalent cations
Abstract A key question for the investigation of the origins of life is to understand the interaction between complex organic molecules and minerals. In this general frame, the present study investigated the nature of the interactions at the molecular level between a ribonucleic acid and ion-exchanged montmorillonites. We observed that the formation of RNA/clay mineral complexes was strongly pH-dependent. In a sufficiently acidic medium, the RNA molecules were intercalated in the interlayer space, in a flat-lying conformation, with a large contribution of electrostatic interactions that may be complemented by hydrogen bonds. The secondary structure of the RNA strands was strongly affected. The presence of different cations such as Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Sr2+ influenced the adsorption of organic molecules. Apparently, metal cations directly took part in the formation of bridges between the negative charges on the mineral surface and the phosphate groups of the biomolecule.
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights The interaction between nucleic acid molecules and clay minerals can help to explain the preservation of the biomolecule; The binding mechanism depended of the speciation of the organic molecule Electrostatic and hydrogen bonding were proposed as possible mechanism for RNA/montmorillonite interactions; Metallic cations bridge the negative charges of the mineral surface to the phosphate groups of the biopolymer.
When RNA meets montmorillonite: Influence of the pH and divalent cations
Abstract A key question for the investigation of the origins of life is to understand the interaction between complex organic molecules and minerals. In this general frame, the present study investigated the nature of the interactions at the molecular level between a ribonucleic acid and ion-exchanged montmorillonites. We observed that the formation of RNA/clay mineral complexes was strongly pH-dependent. In a sufficiently acidic medium, the RNA molecules were intercalated in the interlayer space, in a flat-lying conformation, with a large contribution of electrostatic interactions that may be complemented by hydrogen bonds. The secondary structure of the RNA strands was strongly affected. The presence of different cations such as Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Sr2+ influenced the adsorption of organic molecules. Apparently, metal cations directly took part in the formation of bridges between the negative charges on the mineral surface and the phosphate groups of the biomolecule.
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights The interaction between nucleic acid molecules and clay minerals can help to explain the preservation of the biomolecule; The binding mechanism depended of the speciation of the organic molecule Electrostatic and hydrogen bonding were proposed as possible mechanism for RNA/montmorillonite interactions; Metallic cations bridge the negative charges of the mineral surface to the phosphate groups of the biopolymer.
When RNA meets montmorillonite: Influence of the pH and divalent cations
de Oliveira, Luís H. (author) / Trigueiro, Pollyana (author) / Rigaud, Baptiste (author) / da Silva-Filho, Edson C. (author) / Osajima, Josy A. (author) / Fonseca, Maria G. (author) / Lambert, Jean-François (author) / Georgelin, Thomas (author) / Jaber, Maguy (author)
Applied Clay Science ; 214
2021-07-27
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Characterization of montmorillonites modified with organic divalent phosphonium cations
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