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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...
Global Regulatory Systems01:28

Global Regulatory Systems

Global regulatory systems in bacteria enable rapid and coordinated responses to environmental changes by integrating sensory inputs with gene expression, ensuring efficient adaptation to fluctuating conditions. Key global regulatory mechanisms include regulons, two-component systems, sigma factors, and secondary messengers.Regulons and Global RegulatorsA regulon is a collection of genes and operons controlled by a common global regulator. These regulators enable bacteria to prioritize resource...
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,...

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Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy to Observe Essential Processes During Microbial Cell Growth
07:28

Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy to Observe Essential Processes During Microbial Cell Growth

Published on: November 24, 2017

Cell-like systems with riboswitch controlled gene expression.

Laura Martini1, Sheref S Mansy

  • 1CIBIO, University of Trento, via delle Regole 101, 38100 Mattarello (TN), Italy.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|August 27, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synthetic riboswitches offer precise control over protein expression in various settings, including cell-free systems and vesicles. This technology lays the groundwork for creating artificial cells that can sense and respond to specific molecules.

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Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy to Observe Essential Processes During Microbial Cell Growth
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Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches
10:07

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

Published on: October 8, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Synthetic biology
  • Molecular engineering
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Riboswitches are genetic circuits that regulate gene expression.
  • Controlling protein production in cell-free systems is crucial for synthetic biology applications.
  • Existing methods for controlling gene expression in artificial cellular environments have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop synthetic riboswitches for precise control of protein expression.
  • To demonstrate the functionality of these riboswitches in cell-free environments and vesicles.
  • To establish a foundation for building responsive cellular mimics.

Main Methods:

  • Design and synthesis of novel riboswitch constructs.
  • In vitro characterization of riboswitch activity.
  • Encapsulation of riboswitches in water-in-oil emulsions and lipid vesicles.
  • Assessment of protein expression levels under controlled conditions.

Main Results:

  • Synthetic riboswitches successfully controlled protein expression in vitro.
  • Riboswitch function was validated within water-in-oil emulsions.
  • Protein expression was regulated by synthetic riboswitches in artificial vesicles.
  • The system demonstrated responsiveness to specific molecular inputs.

Conclusions:

  • Synthetic riboswitches provide a robust platform for tunable gene expression control.
  • The developed system is suitable for applications in cell-free biotechnology and the creation of minimal cells.
  • This work advances the development of artificial cellular systems with designed molecular responses.