PseudoknotVisualizer: Visualization of pseudoknots on three-dimensional RNA structures

We introduce the PseudoknotVisualizer, a specialized software designed to identify and visualize pseudoknots within RNA three-dimensional structures. Typically, RNA secondary structures containing pseudoknots can be decomposed into multiple pseudoknot-free layers. Our software colors the base pairs in each pseudoknot layer, enabling the visualization of pseudoknot distribution within three-dimensional structures. Specifically, users can utilize the PseudoknotVisualizer as a PyMOL extension, applying it directly to RNA molecules loaded in PyMOL. Additionally, a Command Line Interface (CLI) is provided, allowing users to generate coloring commands in Chimera or PyMOL formats, which can then be manually copied and pasted for visualization. By facilitating the clear depiction of pseudoknots in RNA tertiary structures, this tool addresses significant challenges in the identification and visualization of pseudoknots in RNA structural analysis, thereby enhancing research productivity and expanding potential applications in molecular biology. Availability and implementation: PseudoknotVisualizer is freely available at https://github.com/TakumiOtagaki/PseudoknotVisualizer.

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Publication Details

Journal
PLoS Computational Biology
Published
2025-11-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013693
Primary Topic
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

PseudoknotVisualizer: Visualization of pseudoknots on three-dimensional RNA structures

Goro Terai, Kiyoshi Asai, Junichi Iwakiri, Takumi Otagaki
PLoS Computational Biology
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
article

PseudoknotVisualizer: Visualization of pseudoknots on three-dimensional RNA structures

Goro Terai, Kiyoshi Asai, Junichi Iwakiri, Takumi Otagaki
article en

Abstract

We introduce the PseudoknotVisualizer, a specialized software designed to identify and visualize pseudoknots within RNA three-dimensional structures. Typically, RNA secondary structures containing pseudoknots can be decomposed into multiple pseudoknot-free layers. Our software colors the base pairs in each pseudoknot layer, enabling the visualization of pseudoknot distribution within three-dimensional structures. Specifically, users can utilize the PseudoknotVisualizer as a PyMOL extension, applying it directly to RNA molecules loaded in PyMOL. Additionally, a Command Line Interface (CLI) is provided, allowing users to generate coloring commands in Chimera or PyMOL formats, which can then be manually copied and pasted for visualization. By facilitating the clear depiction of pseudoknots in RNA tertiary structures, this tool addresses significant challenges in the identification and visualization of pseudoknots in RNA structural analysis, thereby enhancing research productivity and expanding potential applications in molecular biology. Availability and implementation: PseudoknotVisualizer is freely available at https://github.com/TakumiOtagaki/PseudoknotVisualizer.

PLoS Computational BiologyVol. 21(11)
Computational Materials Science Initiative (JP)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
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