Metabolite-binding RNA domains are present in the genes of eukaryotes
Abstract
Genetic control by metabolite-binding mRNAs is widespread in prokaryotes. These riboswitches are typically located in noncoding regions of mRNA, where they selectively bind their target compound and subsequently modulate gene expression. We have identified mRNA elements in fungi and in plants that match the consensus sequence and structure of thiamine pyrophosphate-binding domains of prokaryotes. In Arabidopsis, the consensus motif resides in the 3′-UTR of a thiamine biosynthetic gene, and the isolated RNA domain binds the corresponding coenzyme in vitro. These results suggest that metabolite-binding mRNAs are possibly involved in eukaryotic gene regulation and that some riboswitches might be representatives of an ancient form of genetic control.
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Footnotes
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↵1 The mRNAs that carry the TPP-binding domains encode for a protein that is homologous to the thiC protein of E. coli. This protein enzyme catalyzes the conversion of 5-aminoimidazole ribotide (AIR) to hydroxymethyl pyrimidine phosphate (HMP-P), which is a key biosynthetic step in the synthesis of thiamine and ultimately TPP (Vander Horn et al. 1993; Begley et al. 1999).
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Article and publication are at http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/doi/10.1261/rna.5090103.
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- Accepted February 28, 2003.
- Received January 16, 2003.
- Copyright 2003 by RNA Society
