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Comment
. 2007 Sep 21;27(6):859-60.
doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2007.09.002.

Measuring metals with RNA

John D Helmann  1
Affiliations
Comment

Measuring metals with RNA

John D Helmann. Mol Cell. .

Abstract

In a recent issue of Cell, Winkler and coworkers (Dann et al., 2007) describe in atomic detail the structural changes that allow a specific RNA aptamer (the M box) to regulate transcription in response to changing cellular magnesium levels.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Role of the M-box aptamer in the transcriptional regulation of Bacillus subtilis mgtE gene. When Mg(II) levels are sub-optimal, transcription proceeds through the leader region RNA an into the mgtE structural gene. This process involves a stem-loop structure in which an anti-terminator element prevents formation of a transcription terminator. When Mg(II) levels are sufficient, the anti-terminator is instead sequestered into the stably folded structure of the M box aptamer, thereby allowing formation of a transcription terminator. The atomic structure reveals six bound Mg(II) ions in the folded M box aptamer that are implicated in this regulatory transition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

References

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