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Related Concept Videos

Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

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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.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
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Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches01:23

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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...
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Translation01:31

Translation

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Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Translation01:31

Translation

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Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

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Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
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Termination of Translation01:44

Termination of Translation

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The large ribosomal subunit has several important structures essential to translation. These include the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) - which is the site where the peptide bond is formed - and a large, internal, water-filled tube through which the nascent polypeptide moves. This latter structure is called the Peptide Exit Tunnel, and it begins at the PTC and spans the body of the large ribosomal subunit. During translation, as the nascent polypeptide chain is synthesized, it passes through...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

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

Ronald R Breaker1

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8103.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|May 31, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial riboswitches regulate gene expression by controlling messenger RNA (mRNA) translation through diverse mechanisms. This review explores these translation control strategies and suggests potential for new discoveries.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Riboswitches are RNA regulatory elements that control gene expression.
  • They sense small molecules like metabolites and coenzymes.
  • A key regulatory role involves modulating messenger RNA (mRNA) translation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize diverse mechanisms of riboswitch-mediated translation control.
  • To explore the potential ancient origins of these regulatory elements.
  • To speculate on future discoveries of novel riboswitches and control mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bacterial riboswitches.
  • Analysis of reported mechanisms for mRNA translation modulation.
  • Synthesis of findings to highlight diversity and evolutionary aspects.

Main Results:

  • Identified multiple riboswitch mechanisms controlling mRNA translation.
  • These include ligand-gated ribosome-binding site accessibility.
  • Regulation of alternative splicing and mRNA stability are also observed.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial riboswitches exhibit diverse strategies for translation control.
  • These mechanisms may have ancient evolutionary origins.
  • Further research is expected to uncover novel riboswitches and regulatory functions.