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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...
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...
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,...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

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Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
06:59

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 20, 2014

Engineered riboswitches: overview, problems and trends.

Beatrix Suess1, Julia E Weigand

  • 1Institut für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M., Germany. suess@bio.uni-frankfurt.de

RNA Biology
|April 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Engineered riboswitches offer precise gene control, mimicking natural systems. Developing them requires in vitro selection for ligand-binding aptamers and cellular screening for desired function.

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
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Published on: August 20, 2014

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09:21

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Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches
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Area of Science:

  • Synthetic biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Conditional gene expression systems predate natural riboswitches.
  • Natural riboswitches demonstrate efficient, precise, and rapid gene regulation via RNA-ligand interactions.
  • Engineered riboswitches have been developed to control gene expression across various organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in engineered riboswitches.
  • To highlight key developments and emerging trends in the field.
  • To identify current challenges and future directions in engineered riboswitch research.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro selection of high-affinity aptamers for specific ligands.
  • Cellular screening to identify functional engineered RNAs.
  • Review of recent scientific literature on engineered riboswitches.

Main Results:

  • Engineered riboswitches offer tunable control over gene expression.
  • The development process involves a dual approach of aptamer selection and functional screening.
  • Recent innovations have expanded the applications of engineered riboswitches.

Conclusions:

  • Successful engineered riboswitch development relies on both aptamer affinity and cellular functionality.
  • Continued research is crucial for overcoming current limitations and advancing the field.
  • Engineered riboswitches hold significant potential for diverse biological applications.