Control of gene expression by a natural metabolite-responsive ribozyme

Wade C. Winkler, Ali Nahvi, Adam Roth, Jennifer A. Collins and Ronald R. Breaker ()
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Wade C. Winkler: Yale University
Ali Nahvi: Yale University
Adam Roth: Yale University
Jennifer A. Collins: Yale University
Ronald R. Breaker: Yale University

Nature, 2004, vol. 428, issue 6980, 281-286

Abstract: Abstract Most biological catalysts are made of protein; however, eight classes of natural ribozymes have been discovered that catalyse fundamental biochemical reactions. The central functions of ribozymes in modern organisms support the hypothesis that life passed through an ‘RNA world’ before the emergence of proteins and DNA. We have identified a new class of ribozymes that cleaves the messenger RNA of the glmS gene in Gram-positive bacteria. The ribozyme is activated by glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P), which is the metabolic product of the GlmS enzyme. Additional data indicate that the ribozyme serves as a metabolite-responsive genetic switch that represses the glmS gene in response to rising GlcN6P concentrations. These findings demonstrate that ribozyme switches may have functioned as metabolite sensors in primitive organisms, and further suggest that modern cells retain some of these ancient genetic control systems.

Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.1038/nature02362

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