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Related Concept Videos

Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches01:23

Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches

Riboswitches are RNA elements that regulate gene expression by altering their secondary structures in response to specific effector molecules. These elements, located in the leader regions of certain mRNAs, act as transcriptional regulators by toggling between alternative conformations to control downstream gene expression. Riboswitch-mediated regulation is a precise mechanism for modulating biosynthetic pathways, as exemplified by the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway in Bacillus...
Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
What is Gene Expression?01:36

What is Gene Expression?

A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised  of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then processed and...

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Flipping off the riboswitch: RNA structures that control gene expression.

Dipali G Sashital1, Samuel E Butcher

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.

ACS Chemical Biology
|December 14, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Riboswitches are RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by sensing metabolites. New crystal structures show how S-adenosylmethionine and thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitches control gene activity.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • Riboswitches are regulatory elements found in messenger RNA (mRNA).
  • They control gene expression by binding specific metabolites.
  • This regulation occurs at the level of transcription or translation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural mechanisms of metabolite sensing by riboswitches.
  • To understand how riboswitches regulate their own gene expression.
  • To provide atomic-level insights into S-adenosylmethionine and thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitches.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Structure determination of riboswitch-metabolite complexes
  • Analysis of RNA-protein interactions

Main Results:

  • Three novel crystal structures of riboswitches bound to metabolites were determined.
  • These structures reveal the molecular basis for metabolite recognition.
  • The findings illustrate how RNA structures directly control gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Riboswitches provide a unique RNA-based mechanism for gene regulation.
  • Structural insights facilitate understanding of gene control in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
  • These findings open avenues for riboswitch-based biotechnological applications.