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Related Experiment Videos

An mRNA structure that controls gene expression by binding FMN.

Wade C Winkler1, Smadar Cohen-Chalamish, Ronald R Breaker

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208103, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|November 29, 2002
PubMed
Summary

The RFN element in prokaryotic mRNAs binds flavin mononucleotide (FMN) directly, acting as a riboswitch. This mechanism controls gene expression by regulating transcription termination and ribosome access.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The RFN element is a conserved RNA domain found in prokaryotic 5'-untranslated regions.
  • It is associated with mRNAs encoding flavin mononucleotide (FMN) biosynthesis and transport proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of the RFN element in gene regulation.
  • To determine if the RFN element acts as a riboswitch and binds FMN.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence and structural analyses of the RFN element.
  • Investigating FMN binding to the RFN element in vitro.
  • Analyzing the effect of the riboswitch on gene expression in Bacillus subtilis.

Main Results:

  • The RFN element directly binds FMN in the absence of proteins, functioning as a metabolite-dependent riboswitch.

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  • In Bacillus subtilis, this riboswitch controls gene expression by inducing premature transcription termination.
  • The riboswitch also prevents ribosome binding to the ypaA mRNA.

    • Conclusions:

    • The RFN element is a natural FMN-binding aptamer.
    • Its allosteric properties are utilized for gene expression control.
    • This mechanism provides insights into prokaryotic gene regulation by FMN.