A riboswitch that binds fluoride was identified recently, which is surprising because both RNA and fluoride are negatively charged; here it is shown that the fluoride ion is coordinated to three positively charged magnesium ions, which are further encased in a negatively charged shell of RNA backbone phosphates and water molecules.
- Aiming Ren
- Kanagalaghatta R. Rajashankar
- Dinshaw J. Patel
