The S(MK) box is a new SAM-binding RNA for translational regulation of SAM synthetase.
We have identified the S(MK) box as a conserved RNA motif in the 5' untranslated leader region of metK (SAM synthetase) genes in lactic acid bacteria, including Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Lactococcus species. This RNA element bound SAM in vitro, and binding of SAM caused an RNA structural rearrangement that resulted in sequestration of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence. Mutations that disrupted pairing between the SD region and a sequence complementary to the SD blocked SAM binding, whereas compensatory mutations that restored pairing restored SAM binding. The Enterococcus faecalis S(MK) box conferred translational repression of a lacZ reporter when cells were grown under conditions where SAM pools are elevated, and mutations that blocked SAM binding resulted in loss of repression, demonstrating that the S(MK) box is functional in vivo. The S(MK) box therefore represents a new SAM-binding riboswitch distinct from the previously identified S box RNAs.
Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Ryan T
RT
Fuchs
Frank J
FJ
Grundy
Tina M
TM
Henkin
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000235:genetics; D008716:Methionine Adenosyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016914:Ribonuclease H / Q000378:metabolism; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000378:metabolism*
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D008716:Methionine Adenosyltransferase; D016914:Ribonuclease H