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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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Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

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Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
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Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

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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...
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Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

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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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RNA Stability01:53

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Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
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Riboswitch Mechanisms for Regulation of P1 Helix Stability.

Jason R Stagno1, Yun-Xing Wang1

  • 1Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21701, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 16, 2024
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Riboswitches are RNA molecules that control gene expression by changing shape when binding to specific molecules. Understanding their structures is key to developing new antimicrobials.

Keywords:
P1 helixRNA structureaptamerregulatory RNAriboswitch

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Riboswitches are RNA molecules that regulate gene expression.
  • They are found in all domains of life, especially bacteria, making them targets for antimicrobials.
  • Riboswitches consist of an aptamer (ligand-binding) and an expression platform, controlling gene expression via structural changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze the structures of riboswitches in both ligand-free and ligand-bound states.
  • To understand the structural mechanisms underlying ligand-induced conformational switching in riboswitches.
  • To highlight the diversity in ligand sensing and structural strategies employed by different riboswitches.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative structural analysis of determined riboswitch structures.
  • Focus on the aptamer's P1 helix and its role in gene regulation.
  • Examination of ligand-bound and ligand-free conformations.

Main Results:

  • Ligand binding stabilizes the P1 helix in all studied riboswitches.
  • Coaxial stacking interactions are crucial for P1 helix stabilization.
  • Diverse structural mechanisms are employed by riboswitches for gene regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Structural insights into riboswitches are essential for understanding ligand-induced conformational changes.
  • Riboswitches utilize unique mechanisms for ligand recognition and gene regulation.
  • The P1 helix stability, modulated by ligand binding, is a common regulatory strategy.