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A group I intron riboswitch.

Jörg S Hartig¹

¹Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.

Chemistry & Biology

|September 21, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers discovered a new RNA regulatory element. This novel riboswitch controls gene expression through cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) and a self-splicing group I intron ribozyme.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
RNA Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Riboswitches are mRNA-based genetic regulatory elements.
They control gene expression by binding specific small molecules (ligands).
Group I introns are catalytic RNA molecules that can splice themselves out of RNA transcripts.

Purpose of the Study:

To discover and characterize novel RNA regulatory motifs.
To investigate the mechanism of a newly identified riboswitch.
To understand the role of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) in RNA-based gene regulation.

Main Methods:

Bioinformatic analysis to identify potential riboswitches.
In vitro biochemical assays to test RNA function.
Genetic manipulation in bacteria to study gene regulation in vivo.

Main Results:

Discovery of a novel riboswitch class.
Demonstration of c-di-GMP-dependent regulation of a self-splicing group I intron ribozyme.
Identification of a new mechanism for controlling gene expression using RNA.

Conclusions:

A novel riboswitch mechanism utilizing a self-splicing group I intron has been identified.
This riboswitch is regulated by the second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP).
This finding expands the known repertoire of riboswitch architectures and regulatory strategies.