Methods and Reagents for Analyzing Riboswitches

Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA elements that modulate translation of the mRNA of which they are a part, or transcription of the mRNA itself. Structural changes in riboswitches are induced by specific metabolites. Cells have evolved a wide range of use for this mechanism; changes in riboswitches have activities diverse as halting transcription; preventing the mRNA from binding with the ribosome, modulating alternative splicing, and even affecting translation of other mRNAs. Riboswitches have been identified in bacteria, plants and fungi.

Cornell inventors have isolated and labeled riboswitches with fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) pairs. Utilizing single molecule FRET (smFRET) imaging techniques, the inventors have successfully studied the conformational changes in several classes of riboswitches, such as S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) riboswitches, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)-sensing riboswitches and preQ1 riboswitches. These studies provide insights into the mechanisms of riboswitches-mediated gene regulation.

Potential Applications

• Basic research
• Drug discovery