Structures of regulatory elements in mRNAs.
Messenger RNAs often contain structures in their 5'-untranslated region that serve to regulate or promote expression of their gene product. Recent structural studies have revealed that riboswitches, which bind a variety of small molecule metabolites, including purine bases, S-adenosylmethionine, amino acids and cofactors, can contain sophisticated tertiary architecture that enables their function, akin to tRNA and rRNA. These structures guide the mRNA to adopt one of two mutually exclusive forms, dictating the outcome of transcription or translation. Another highly structured mRNA element, the viral internal ribosomal entry site, is able to manipulate the ribosome and replace the function of initiation factors to promote gene expression.
Batey
Robert T
RT
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 215, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA. robert.batey@colorado.edu
D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry*; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins