Calculating the electrostatic properties of RNA provides new insights intomolecular interactions and function

Solutions to the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation were used to obtain t he electrostatic potentials of RNA molecules that have known three-dimensio nal structures. The results are described in terms of isopotential contours and surface electrostatic potential maps. Both representations have unexpe cted features: 'cavities' within isopotential contours and areas of enhance d negative potential on molecular surfaces. Intriguingly, the sites of unus ual electrostatic: features correspond to functionally important regions, s uggesting that electrostatic properties play a key role in RNA recognition and stabilization, These calculations reveal that the electrostatic potenti als generated by RNA molecules have a variety of functionally important cha racteristics that cannot be discerned by simple Visual inspection of the mo lecular structure.