The dynamic behavior of the rRNA A-site plays an important functional role. We have employed femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy to investigate the nature of the conformational dynamics. In the drug-free state, the A-site samples multiple distinct conformations. Drug binding shifts the population distribution in a drug-specific manner. Motions of bases on nanosecond and picosecond time scales are differentially affected by the drug binding. Our results underscore the importance of understanding the detailed dynamic picture of molecular recognition by resolving dynamics in the distinct picosecond time regime and facilitate development of antimicrobial drugs targeting dynamic RNAs.
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