In-line probing analysis of riboswitches

Methods Mol Biol. 2008:419:53-67. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-033-1_4.

Abstract

Riboswitches are intricate, metabolite-binding RNA structures found in the non-coding regions of mRNA. Allosteric changes in the riboswitch that are induced by metabolite binding are harnessed to control the genes of a variety of essential metabolic pathways in eubacteria and in some eukaryotes. In this chapter, we describe an RNA structure analysis technique called "in-line probing." This assay makes use of the natural instability of RNA to elucidate secondary structure characteristics and ligand-binding capabilities of riboswitches in an entirely protein-free manner. Although this method has most frequently been used to examine riboswitches, the structures of any RNAs can be examined using this technique.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Probe Techniques
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA Stability
  • RNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Untranslated / chemistry
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics*
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Ligands
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Untranslated