Figure 4.

Probe accessibility map of 16S rRNA three-dimensional structure; Screenshot showing the distribution of relative fluorescence hybridization intensities of oligonucleotide probes targeting 16S rRNA of Escherichia coli. Probe accessibility data is according to Behrens et al [25]. Probe accessibility information is mapped onto the 3D structure of E.coli 16S rRNA. The different background colors indicate the brightness range of different classes (classes I through VI) with respect to the observed fluorescence intensities. Residues colored red are readily accessible where as residues colored black are virtually inaccessible for the rRNA targeted probes. Such 3D accessibility maps can be used to evaluate oligonucleotide probes with respect to 3D conformations of rRNA, when intended to be used in FISH experiments.