Bacterial gene regulation: metal ion sensing by proteins or RNA.
Until recently, metal sensing in bacteria seemed to be accomplished exclusively by metalloregulatory proteins; however, a surprising new finding is that a metal ion itself can act as a riboswitch ligand to shut down gene expression. Interestingly, this ion is Mg(2+), known to be required for a wide variety of cellular functions and for correct folding of RNAs. It remains to be discovered whether other ion-dependent riboswitches exist, which would open up a new dimension for regulatory RNAs.
Brantl
Sabine
S
AG Bakteriengenetik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Philosophenweg 12, D-07743 Jena, Germany. Sabine.Brantl@uni-jena.de
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001665:Binding Sites; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D008024:Ligands; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D008670:Metals; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid; D008274:Magnesium