核糖开关的结构和调控机理

The Structures and Mechanisms of Riboswitches

一种新发现的RNA分子——核糖开关,通过感知代谢物浓度的变化调控目标基因的表达。它可以调整自身的结构直接结合代谢物小分子,而不需要蛋白因子的参与。在原核生物中发现了大量的核糖开关,在真核生物如植物和真菌中也发现了核糖开关。核糖开关由适体域和表达平台两个功能域组成,能在不同水平调控基因的表达,如转录终止、翻译起始、mRNA剪辑和加工。核糖开关不需要蛋白因子的参与,因此人们认为它可能是古代RNA世界的遗留物。核糖开关作为RNA传感器可以设计成一种基因控制元件,在未来的基因治疗方面可能具有很大的应用前景。

The riboswitch,newly discovered RNA molecular,can regulate gone expression in response to subtle changes in metab- olite concentrations. Riboswitches make use of RNA structural modulation to sense metabolite directly rather than with the assistance of protein factors. They are widespread in prokaryotes,and also discovered in eukaryotes such as fungi and plant. Riboswitch elements are generally composed of two functional domains ： aptamer and expression platform. Riboswitches are involved at various regulation levels of gene expression,such as transcription attenuation, translation initiation, mRNA splicing and mRNA processing. Because riboswitches operate without the help of protein factors, they are believed to be remnants of an ancient RNA world. As RNA sensors, riboswitches can be designed to gene-control elements,offering a great potential for gene cure.