problems with map quality, refinement and R/Rfree
Hi all, We have data sets for a protein-RNA complex at 3.2 A resolution. . The data belong to the space group I4122 and contains one molecule of Protein-RNA complex (300AA and 16nt; 66% solvent content) in the asym unit. We have managed to get phases using Se-SAD and the present model contains 60% of the protein atoms (250 residues many of them build as Ala) and almost complete RNA (16nt). We could not locate ~20 % of the residues (present in various loops as well as at N- and C-terminal ends). First 120 residues present at N-terminal end seem to have poor relatively main-chain density and almost no side chain density. RNA and 130 residues present at the C-terminal end have good electron density for main-chain as well as side chain. The solution seems to be correct as molecular replacement trials with this model gave same solution in Phaser, Molrep and AMoRe. Solution seems to be also correct because as expected one RNA strand present in asym unit pairs with another one coming from symmetry related molecule. We have checked data in space group I4122 with CCP4 (SFCHECK, cumulative intensity distribution), Yeates server as well as Phenix.xtriage. In all the cases it indicates no twinning. However if I process the data in lower symmetry space group it does indicate presence of almost perfect twin. We realize that this could be just because of processing data in lower symmetry space group and data in all probability may still be fine. The problem is now with refinement and model building. Refinement with CNS and Refamc gave considerably higher value of R and R free. In CNS1.1, refinement with small changes in the model some time leads to large shift in R and R-free value. Refmac: R=36; Rfree=47 CNS1.1: R=40-59; R-free=45-63 However in both the cases map looks more or less same (with reasonably good density for the main-chain as well as RNA) I tried refining with phenix.refine and there is some improvement in the R(34%) and Rfree(40%) values. I think may be robust bulk solvent correction incorporated in phenix.refine has helped in this case. However, I still see no improvement in the map quality for the first 120 residues. In the absence of any clear density I am unable to build any further. I feel N-terminal domain is bit flexible and may have overall poor density. I have used Se position as well as predicted secondary structure in assigning the amino acid in the map but due to few breaks in the N-terminal domain as well as poor density I am unable to assign any amino acid into the poly ala main chain. Frankly speaking, I do not know how to proceed further. I welcome any kind of suggestions which could help us in this case. Regards Joe
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Joe Smith