Riboswitches

Paper Summary:

Riboswitches are cis-acting RNA control elements that affect the transcription or translation of a certain gene. These have initially been found only in bacteria, but as research continues these are also being found in eukaryotes. This paper describes the main features of riboswitches, as well as the details of some of the known ones. It also mentions a few of the experimental techniques employed in the characterisation and discovery of riboswitches. Outline Introduction General Characteristics of Riboswitches Mechanisms of Gene Expression Experimental Techniques Used in the Analysis of Riboswitches. Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The main mechanisms for control of gene expression operate at the level of translation and transcription. Usually, the binding of a metabolite to an aptamer as the nascent mRNA is transcribed locks the aptamer in a specific conformation, which prevents the formation of an alternate conformation that requires a part of the RNA that is yet to be transcribed; this can happen due to the linking of transcription and translation in prokaryotes. If the metabolite does not bind the aptamer, the alternate conformation is free to form either up- or down-regulate the gene. The different types of expression platforms are described below, using examples as appropriate. "

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