Structures of RNA switches: insight into molecular recognition and tertiary structure.
RNA switches (riboswitches) have important functions in gene regulation. They comprise an aptamer domain, which is responsible for ligand binding, and an expression platform that transmits the ligand-binding state of the aptamer domain through a conformational change. Riboswitches can regulate gene expression either at the level of transcription or translation, and it has been proposed that riboswitch mechanisms are even used to regulate the processing of mRNA. This Minireview summarizes the current understanding of the structures and mode of action of RNA switches, with particular focus on secondary and tertiary interactions, which stabilize the global RNA structure and thus determine the function of the aptamer domain.
Schwalbe
Harald
H
Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. schwalbe@nmr.uni-frankfurt.de
Buck
Janina
J
Fürtig
Boris
B
Noeske
Jonas
J
Wöhnert
Jens
J
D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050436:Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D012313:RNA