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

Metabolite recognition principles and molecular mechanisms underlying riboswitch function.

Alexander Serganov1, Dinshaw J Patel

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA. alexander.serganov@nyumc.org

Annual Review of Biophysics
|May 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Riboswitches are RNA molecules that control gene expression by changing shape when they bind to metabolites. Structural studies reveal diverse folds and metabolite recognition principles, aiding gene circuit manipulation.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

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

Real-time Analysis of Transcription Factor Binding, Transcription, Translation, and Turnover to Display Global Events During Cellular Activation
12:54

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Published on: March 7, 2018

Using In Vitro and In-cell SHAPE to Investigate Small Molecule Induced Pre-mRNA Structural Changes
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Using In Vitro and In-cell SHAPE to Investigate Small Molecule Induced Pre-mRNA Structural Changes

Published on: January 30, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Riboswitches are messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that regulate gene expression.
  • They respond to specific cellular metabolites by altering their conformation.
  • This conformational change affects adjacent gene expression controlling elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural diversity and molecular mechanisms of riboswitches.
  • To understand how riboswitches recognize metabolites and modulate gene expression.
  • To guide the development of tools for manipulating gene regulatory circuits.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used to determine 3D structures.
  • Structure-guided biophysical and biochemical experiments were employed.
  • Analysis of ligand-bound and ligand-free states of various riboswitch classes.

Main Results:

  • Determined 3D structures for major riboswitch classes in both ligand-bound and ligand-free states.
  • Revealed a wide diversity of riboswitch folds and principles of metabolite recognition.
  • Provided insights into RNA folding, ligand binding, and conformational changes.

Conclusions:

  • Structural data significantly advanced the understanding of riboswitch mechanisms.
  • Knowledge of riboswitch structure-function relationships facilitates the design of gene regulatory tools.
  • These findings pave the way for novel applications in synthetic biology and therapeutics.