RNA elements that bind small metabolites and change structure to regulate gene expression directly.
Located in the 5' UTR of bacterial mRNAs, a riboswitch has an aptamer domain that binds a ligand (such as thiamine pyrophosphate or adenine) and an expression platform that changes folding, usually terminating transcription or blocking the ribosome binding site.
They need no protein and are drug targets.
RNA elements that bind small metabolites and change structure to regulate gene expression directly.
Riboswitches is one of the 52 topics in Molecular Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Ribosome Structure, Initiation, Elongation, Termination, Promoter.
The TPP riboswitch is found in all three domains of life.
Work through the Beginner topics in Molecular Biology first, such as Central Dogma, DNA Replication, Base Pairing, then return to Riboswitches. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Riboswitches are Ribosome Structure, Initiation, Elongation, Termination, Promoter, RNA Polymerase. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Riboswitches. To practise the whole of Molecular Biology, use the Molecular Biology quiz.
Riboswitches: RNA elements that bind small metabolites and change structure to regulate gene expression directly. Ribosome Structure: A large and small subunit with A, P and E sites that coordinate tRNA binding and peptide bond formation. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Ribosome Structure and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Molecular Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
A large and small subunit with A, P and E sites that coordinate tRNA binding and peptide bond formation.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe three stages of translation: assembly at the start codon, chain growth, and release at a stop codon.
🧫 Molecular BiologyA DNA sequence where RNA polymerase and transcription factors bind to start transcription of a gene.
🧫 Molecular BiologyThe enzyme that builds an RNA strand complementary to the template DNA during transcription.
🧫 Molecular Biology