title: Synthetic RNA-based switches for mammalian gene expression control.
abstract: Synthetic ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based gene switches control RNA functions in a ligand-responsive manner. Key building blocks are aptamers that specifically bind to small molecules or protein ligands. Engineering approaches often combine rational design and high-throughput screening to identify optimal connection sites or sequences. In this report, we discuss basic principles and emerging design strategies for the engineering of RNA-based gene switches in mammalian cells. Their small size compared with those of transcriptional gene switches, together with advancements in design strategies and performance, may bring RNA-based switches to the forefront of biomedical and biotechnological applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ausländer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: fussenegger@bsse.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fussenegger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005812:Genes, Switch; D005813:Genes, Synthetic; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods; D008024:Ligands; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D012313:RNA