Cooperativity, allostery and synergism in ligand binding to riboswitches.

摘要: Recent progress in identification and characterization of novel types non-coding RNAs has proven that carry out a variety cellular functions ranging from scaffolding to gene expression control. In both prokaryotic eukaryotic cells, several classes control dozens genes response specific cues. One the most interesting outstanding questions RNA field is whether regulatory are capable employing basic biological concepts, such as allostery cooperativity, previously attributed function proteins. Aside form complementary base pairing with their nucleic acid targets, modulate via molecular mechanisms which can be paralleled protein-mediated regulation. Among these riboswitches, metabolite-sensing elements adopt intrinsic three-dimensional structures specifically bind various small molecule ligands. These characteristics riboswitches make them well-suited for complex responses observed allosteric cooperative protein systems. Here we present an overview biochemical, genetic, structural studies major focus on principles utilized by genetic modulation.