Expression of genes is controlled in response to the concentration of metabolites and signaling molecules within...

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Biology

Expression of genes is controlled in response to theconcentration of metabolites and signaling molecules within cells.One type of control mechanism depends on the ability of some mRNAmolecules to form special secondary structures that are capable ofdirectly binding to small molecules. These structures are calledriboswitches and the molecules they bind to are their ligands.Binding of an mRNA to its appropriate ligand results in aconformational change in the mRNA, and as a consequence, thetranscription of this mRNA may be prematurely terminated or itstranslation may be inhibited. By sensing metabolite concentrations,riboswitches participate in feedback circuits. When the ligand ispresent at high concentrations, the riboswitch inhibits theexpression of genes needed to replenish this ligand. Scientists areemploying a wide range of bioinformatics, genetics, and biochemicaltechniques to discover, study and use riboswitches for developmentof novel antibiotics and therapeutics.
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A riboswitch is gene regulatory mRNA domain generally located in the 5 end of the untranslated region which generally responds to the concentration of verity of metabolite and second messenger molecules Upon binding of these molecules ligands to the aptamerbinding site present at the riboswitch of mRNA they modulate either transcription termination or initiationtermination of translation a catalytic glmS riboswitch is a good example of See Answer

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