A 1:2 crystalline complex of ApA:proflavine: a model for binding to single-stranded regions in RNA.

The structure of a 1"2 complex of adenylyl-(3',5')-adenosine phosphate and proflavine hemisulfate has been determined using the methods of x-ray crystallography. Since the ApA does not form a mini double helix, it may serve as a model for the interaction of planar molecules with single stranded nucleic acids. The dinucleotide adopts an extended conformation with the adenines in adjacent molecules forming base pairs. A most unusual feature of the molecule is that it does not obey the "rigid nucleotide" concept although none of the torsion angles occur in energetically unfavourable regions. This is most probably due to the strong interactions between the proflavine and the oligonucleotide.