TitleA widespread riboswitch candidate that controls bacterial genes involved in molybdenum cofactor and tungsten cofactor metabolism.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsRegulski EE, Moy RH, Weinberg Z, Barrick JE, Yao Z, Ruzzo WL, Breaker RR
JournalMolecular microbiology
Volume68
Issue4
Pagination918-32
Date or Month Published2008 May
ISSN1365-2958
Keywords5' Untranslated Regions, Base Sequence, Coenzymes, Computational Biology, Conserved Sequence, Escherichia coli, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Ligands, Metalloproteins, Molecular Sequence Data, Molybdenum, Mutation, Operon, Organometallic Compounds, Phylogeny, Pteridines, Pterins, RNA, Bacterial
AbstractWe have identified a highly conserved RNA motif located upstream of genes encoding molybdate transporters, molybdenum cofactor (Moco) biosynthesis enzymes, and proteins that utilize Moco as a coenzyme. Bioinformatics searches have identified 176 representatives in gamma-Proteobacteria, delta-Proteobacteria, Clostridia, Actinobacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus species and DNAs from environmental samples. Using genetic assays, we demonstrate that a Moco RNA in Escherichia coli associated with the Moco biosynthetic operon controls gene expression in response to Moco production. In addition, we provide evidence indicating that this conserved RNA discriminates against closely related analogues of Moco. These results, together with extensive phylogenetic conservation and typical gene control structures near some examples, indicate that representatives of this structured RNA represent a novel class of riboswitches that sense Moco. Furthermore, we identify variants of this RNA that are likely to be triggered by the related tungsten cofactor (Tuco), which carries tungsten in place of molybdenum as the metal constituent.
DOI10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06208.x
Downloadshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18363797?dopt=Abstract Abstract
Alternate JournalMol. Microbiol.
Citation Key1871
PubMed ID18363797