Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
07:02
An Assay for Quantifying Protein-RNA Binding in Bacteria
Published on: June 12, 2019
6.9K
Regulation of RNA-binding proteins by small biomolecules.
Weili Miao1, Douglas F Porter2, Vanessa Lopez-Pajares2
1Program in Epithelial Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. wmiao001@stanford.edu.
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Small biomolecules directly bind RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), influencing their function and linking gene regulation to cellular metabolism. This interaction offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies in various diseases.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial for post-transcriptional gene regulation.
- Dysregulation of RBPs is linked to human diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
- RBPs traditionally studied via RNA, protein, and post-translational interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of small biomolecules (SBMs) in modulating RBP activity.
- To highlight the molecular mechanisms and disease relevance of SBM-RBP interactions.
- To discuss advancements in identifying and understanding SBM-RBP interactions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on SBM-RBP interactions.
- Analysis of molecular principles governing SBM binding to RBPs.
- Examination of recent technological advancements in the field.
Main Results:
- SBMs, including metabolites and drugs, directly bind RBPs.
- These interactions modulate RBP structure, localization, and RNA-binding activity.
- SBM-RBP interactions link cellular metabolism to gene regulation.
Conclusions:
- SBMs represent a significant regulatory layer for RBPs.
- Understanding SBM-RBP interactions is key to disease mechanisms.
- Targeting SBM-RBP interactions may offer new therapeutic avenues.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Translational Regulation
514
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,...
514
01:23Types of RNA
72.5K
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...
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...
72.5K
01:20Types of RNA
9.0K
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...
RNA Performs Diverse...
9.0K
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
1.3K
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
1.3K
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
25.7K
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
25.7K
01:56Riboswitches
9.5K
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...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
9.5K