RNAs that bind to xanthine (2,6-dioxypurine) were isolated from a population of 10(12) random sequences by in vitro selection. These xanthine-binding RNAs were found to have a 10 nt consensus sequence at an internal loop in the most probable secondary structure. By trimming one of the xanthine-binding RNAs, a representative xanthine-binding RNA (designated as XBA) of 32 nt residues was prepared. The dissociation constant of this RNA for xanthine was determined to be 3.3 microM by equilibrium filtration experiments. The XBA RNA can bind to guanine as well, whereas it hardly accommodates adenine, cytosine or uracil. The K d values for various xanthine/guanine analogues were determined, and revealed that the N1H, N7 and O6 moieties of the ligand are involved in the binding with the XBA RNA. The ribonuclease sensitivities of some internal-loop residues changed upon the addition of xanthine, suggesting that the internal loop of the XBA RNA is involved in the ligand binding. Interestingly, the consensus sequence of the xanthine/guanine-binding RNAs is the same as a sequence in one of the internal loops of the hairpin ribozyme, except for a substitution that is neutral with respect to xanthine/guanine binding.