Systematic detection of tertiary structural modules in large RNAs and RNP interfaces by Tb-seq

Compact RNA structural motifs control many aspects of gene expression, but we lack methods for finding these structures in the vast expanse of multi-kilobase RNAs. To adopt specific 3-D shapes, many RNA modules must compress their RNA backbones together, bringing negatively charged phosphates into close proximity. This is often accomplished by recruiting multivalent cations (usually Mg(2+)), which stabilize these sites and neutralize regions of local negative charge. Coordinated lanthanide ions, such as terbium (III) (Tb(3+)), can also be recruited to these sites, where they induce efficient RNA cleavage, thereby revealing compact RNA 3-D modules. Until now, Tb(3+) cleavage sites were monitored via low-throughput biochemical methods only applicable to small RNAs. Here we present Tb-seq, a high-throughput sequencing method for detecting compact tertiary structures in large RNAs. Tb-seq detects sharp backbone turns found in RNA tertiary structures and RNP interfaces, providing a way to scan transcriptomes for stable structural modules and potential riboregulatory motifs.