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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
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...

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Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
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Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 20, 2014

Mix-and-match riboswitches.

Colby D Stoddard1, Robert T Batey

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Campus Box 215, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0215, USA.

ACS Chemical Biology
|January 24, 2007
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals novel riboswitches that regulate gene expression using RNA logic gates. These riboswitches ensure mRNA expression only occurs when both S-adenosylmethionine and coenzyme B12 are scarce.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • Riboswitches are noncoding RNA regulatory elements in mRNA's 5'-untranslated region.
  • They control gene expression via metabolite sensing and structural switching, common in bacteria.
  • Riboswitches lack protein involvement, operating solely through RNA structure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel riboswitches employing Boolean logic for gene regulation.
  • To explore RNA architectures that mimic computational logic gates.
  • To understand the mechanism of riboswitches responding to dual metabolite concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of RNA secondary structures.
  • Investigating riboswitch domains (aptamer and expression switch).

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Optical Tweezers to Study RNA-Protein Interactions in Translation Regulation
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Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches
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  • Studying tandemly arranged metabolite-binding elements.

    • Main Results:

    • Discovery of riboswitches functioning as Boolean NOR logic gates.
    • Identification of riboswitches sensing S-adenosylmethionine and coenzyme B12.
    • Demonstration that mRNA expression is contingent on low concentrations of both metabolites.

    Conclusions:

    • Riboswitches can implement complex logic functions, like NOR gates, using RNA alone.
    • This provides a new paradigm for understanding gene regulation in response to multiple signals.
    • The discovered riboswitches offer insights into sophisticated RNA-based regulatory mechanisms.