Loop Free-Energy Decomposition

Dimer 1

ΔG = -6.3 kcal/mol ΔH = -56.0 kcal/mol ΔS = -160.2 e.u. T_m = 32.7°C

Structural element	δδG	Information
External loop	-0.75	8 ss bases & 1 closing helices
Stack	-1.84	External closing pair is C6-G15
Stack	-1.45	External closing pair is C7-G14
Helix	-3.29	3 base pairs
Interior loop	+0.78	External closing pair is A8-T13
Stack	-2.17	External closing pair is C10-G11
Helix	-2.17	2 base pairs
Interior loop	+0.78	External closing pair is G11-C10
Stack	-1.45	External closing pair is T13-A8
Stack	-1.84	External closing pair is G14-C7
Helix	-3.29	3 base pairs
External loop	+1.64	Closing pair is G15-C6

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Dimer 2

ΔG = -4.1 kcal/mol ΔH = -33.0 kcal/mol ΔS = -93.2 e.u. T_m = 4.5°C

Structural element	δδG	Information
External loop	-0.89	26 ss bases & 1 closing helices
Stack	-1.84	External closing pair is G15-C6
Stack	-2.24	External closing pair is G16-C5
Helix	-4.08	3 base pairs
External loop	+0.88	Closing pair is C17-G4

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Dimer 3

ΔG = -4.1 kcal/mol ΔH = -33.0 kcal/mol ΔS = -93.2 e.u. T_m = 4.5°C

Structural element	δδG	Information
External loop	-1.08	7 ss bases & 1 closing helices
Stack	-2.24	External closing pair is G4-C17
Stack	-1.84	External closing pair is C5-G16
Helix	-4.08	3 base pairs
External loop	+1.07	Closing pair is C6-G15