Riboswitches and Gene Regulation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of stem-loops in mRNA secondary structure?

  • To regulate transcriptional control
  • To form a knot-like structure
  • To create a stable, double-stranded region with a loop at the end (correct)
  • To act as a binding site for RNA-binding proteins

What is the role of RNA-binding proteins in regulating gene expression?

  • To act as a co-repressor of transcriptional control
  • To alter riboswitch conformation, affecting gene expression (correct)
  • To recognize and bind specific small molecules
  • To inhibit translation initiation by binding to the ribosome binding site

What is the basis for classifying riboswitches into different categories?

  • The type of small molecule that binds to the riboswitch
  • The ligand specificity, secondary structure, and gene regulation of the riboswitch (correct)
  • The type of RNA-binding protein that interacts with the riboswitch
  • The origin of the riboswitch, whether it is bacterial or archaeal

What is the outcome of ligand binding to a riboswitch?

<p>The riboswitch undergoes a conformational change, affecting gene expression (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of riboswitches in regulating translation initiation?

<p>To control the accessibility of the ribosome binding site (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of an ON switch riboswitch?

<p>To allow translation initiation when bound to a ligand (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Rho reaches the terminator in a normal situation?

<p>It blocks RNA polymerase and prevents transcription. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of TRAP protein in the Trp operon?

<p>It prevents the formation of terminator structures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when there is a low concentration of Trp?

<p>TRAP protein is inactivated and transcription continues. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of anti-TRAP protein?

<p>It prevents the formation of terminator structures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the signal that triggers the formation of anti-TRAP protein?

<p>The absence of Trp. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of tRNA in the formation of anti-TRAP protein?

<p>It signals the formation of anti-TRAP protein. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the Trp operon in E. coli and B. subtilis?

<p>The Trp operon in B. subtilis is regulated by the TRAP protein. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of the three mechanisms of attenuation?

<p>They all form terminator structures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the study on different bacteria?

<p>It indicates that different bacteria prefer different mechanisms of attenuation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ribosome in the mechanism of attenuation in E. coli?

<p>It is stuck and prevents the Rho factor from reaching the terminator. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

MRNA Secondary Structure

  • Riboswitches are regions of mRNA that can adopt specific secondary structures
  • These structures are critical for riboswitch function and can be altered by binding of small molecules
  • Secondary structures can be:
    • Stem-loops: stable, double-stranded regions with a loop at the end
    • Pseudoknots: regions where the RNA strand folds back on itself, forming a knot-like structure
    • Junctions: regions where multiple stem-loops meet

RNA-binding Proteins

  • RNA-binding proteins can interact with riboswitches to regulate gene expression
  • These proteins can:
    • Bind specifically to riboswitch secondary structures
    • Alter riboswitch conformation, affecting gene expression
    • Act as co-factors to enhance or inhibit riboswitch function

Riboswitch Classification

  • Riboswitches can be classified into several categories based on:
    • Ligand specificity: e.g., purine, thiamine, or flavin mononucleotide (FMN) binding
    • Secondary structure: e.g., stem-loop, pseudoknot, or junction
    • Gene regulation: e.g., transcriptional or translational control
    • Bacterial or archaeal origin: e.g., TPW, TPP, or FMN riboswitches

RNA-ligand Interactions

  • Riboswitches recognize and bind specific small molecules (ligands) to regulate gene expression
  • Ligand binding can:
    • Induce conformational changes in the riboswitch, affecting gene expression
    • Alter the accessibility of the ribosome binding site
    • Inhibit or activate translation initiation

Translation Initiation

  • Riboswitches can regulate translation initiation by controlling:
    • Ribosome binding site (RBS) accessibility
    • Initiation codon recognition
    • Translation initiation complex formation
  • Riboswitches can act as:
    • ON switches: allowing translation initiation when bound to a ligand
    • OFF switches: inhibiting translation initiation when bound to a ligand

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