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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...
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...
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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Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers
06:59

Nanomanipulation of Single RNA Molecules by Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 20, 2014

Riboswitches: structures and mechanisms.

Andrew D Garst1, Andrea L Edwards, Robert T Batey

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

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|October 15, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Riboswitches are RNA molecules that control gene expression by changing shape to bind metabolites. This review explores how these regulatory RNAs function, focusing on transcriptional control in bacteria.

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Published on: January 30, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The RNA world hypothesis suggests RNA regulated early life.
  • Riboswitches are key regulatory elements in modern RNA biology.
  • Found in bacterial mRNA 5'-untranslated regions, they control gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on riboswitch mechanisms.
  • To highlight how RNA folding enables metabolite recognition and gene regulation.
  • Emphasis on transcriptional regulation by riboswitches.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on riboswitches.
  • Analysis of RNA structural dynamics and metabolite binding.
  • Focus on transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Riboswitches possess complex architectures for specific metabolite binding.
  • RNA secondary structure switching is crucial for regulatory function.
  • Transcriptional regulation is a common mechanism employed by riboswitches.

Conclusions:

  • Riboswitches are sophisticated regulatory tools with potential origins in the RNA world.
  • Understanding riboswitch folding and function provides insights into gene regulation.
  • Further research can elucidate their role in biological systems and evolution.