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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Aptamer-Based Target Detection Facilitated by a 3-Stage G-Quadruplex Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction

Aptamer-Based Target Detection Facilitated by a 3-Stage G-Quadruplex Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction

Published on: October 6, 2022

Potassium ions modulate a G-quadruplex-ribozyme's activity.

Jean-Denis Beaudoin¹, Jean-Pierre Perreault

¹RNA Group/Groupe ARN, Département de Biochimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke QC, J1H 5N4, Canada.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)

|May 6, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Engineered Hepatitis delta virus ribozymes form a new G-quadruplex-controlled ribozyme class. This G-quartzyme shows unique, potassium-dependent allosteric activity, offering novel insights into ribozyme structure and function.

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Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Single-molecule Manipulation of G-quadruplexes by Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: September 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Molecular biology
Biochemistry
Structural biology

Background:

Hepatitis delta virus ribozyme possesses a rigid tertiary structure, limiting folding pathway diversity.
Ribozymes are RNA molecules with catalytic activity, crucial in various biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To engineer a novel ribozyme with G-quadruplex-controlled activity.
To investigate the structural and kinetic properties of this new G-quartzyme class.
To elucidate the role of potassium ions in G-quartzyme activity.

Main Methods:

Molecular engineering of Hepatitis delta virus ribozyme.
Generation of ribozyme mutants.
Kinetic characterization under single turnover conditions.
Enzymatic and chemical probing of ribozyme structures.

Main Results:

Development of a G-quadruplex-controlled ribozyme (G-quartzyme) with endoribonuclease activity.
G-quartzyme activity is strictly dependent on potassium cations.
The G-quartzyme functions as an allosteric enzyme with potassium as a positive effector (Hill coefficient of 2.9 ± 0.2).
Conformational changes upon potassium binding were confirmed by probing studies.

Conclusions:

It is possible to modify the Hepatitis delta virus ribozyme structure with stable G-quadruplex motifs.
The G-quartzyme represents a new class of ribozymes with unique monovalent cation-dependent activity.
This study highlights a novel mechanism for controlling ribozyme function through structural elements and ion-dependent allostery.