RNA recognition by the MS2 phage coat protein

The interaction of MS2 coat protein and its translational operator hairpin is a very well-characterized RNA-protein complex. The recent high-resolution cocrystal structure successfully explains many biochemical experiments measuring the affinity of the protein-RNA interaction for mutant proteins and chemically modified RNAs. However, an analysis of a tight binding variant of the RNA suggests that the conformation of the free RNA is also an important determinant of the affinity. (C) 1997 Academic Press.