CHED 965 |
| Riboswitches can directly affect gene expression through interactions with affecter molecules and subsequent conformational changes that modulate gene expression. Since riboswitches are essential for maintaining a normal level of cellular metabolism, they are targets for new antibiotic development. A recently published crystal structure of the aptamer domain of the guanine riboswitch has revealed the importance of certain loop-loop interactions to ligand binding. Mutant riboswitches have been constructed and their ability to bind ligand assayed. Two interesting mutants have been inserted into the chromosome of Bacillus subtilis to test their ability to regulate expression of a reporter gene in vivo. These mutants are intriguing because they are not found in nature and their effects cannot be explained based on what is known about the tertiary structure of the riboswitch. Future studies aim at determining the importance of the loop-loop contacts to riboswitch structure and function. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Biochemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |