Structure-guided mutational analysis of gene regulation by the Bacillus subtilis pbuE adenine-responsive riboswitch in a cellular context

Abstract

Background: Riboswitches regulate purine biosynthesis and transport in many bacteria. Results: Mutagenic analysis of an adenine-responsive riboswitch revealed features important for efficient co-transcriptional regulation. Conclusion: Adenine binding to the riboswitch results in a local barrier to strand exchange by the transcriptional terminator, whose formation is facilitated by a stem-loop element. Significance: This is the first study comprehensively analyzing an RNA structural switch in a cellular context.