Se-Derivatized RNAs for X-ray Crystallography

Selenium derivatization of RNA is an important strategy for crystal structure determination and functional studies of noncoding RNAs and protein–RNA interactions. We describe here the synthesis of nucleoside 5′-(α-P-seleno)-triphosphate analogs (Se-NTPs) and their use in vitro transcription and purification of Se-derivatized RNA samples (phosphoroselenoate RNA, PSe-RNA).