YkoK leader
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ykoK leader | |
|---|---|
 Predicted secondary structure and sequence conservation of ykoK | |
| Identifiers | |
| Symbol | ykoK |
| Rfam | RF00380 |
| Other data | |
| RNA type | Cis-reg; riboswitch |
| Domain(s) | Bacteria |
| SO | SO:0000233 |
| PDB structures | PDBe |
The Ykok leader or M-box is a Mg2+-sensing RNA structure that controls the expression of Magnesium ion transport proteins in bacteria. It is a distinct structure to the Magnesium responsive RNA element.
The Ykok leader was originally described as a conserved sequence with potential riboswitch function found upstream of the B. subtilis ykoK gene and genes with related functions in other bacteria.[1] Examples of the conserved M-box RNA structure occur upstream of each of the three major families of Mg2+ transporters (CorA, MgtE and MgtA/MgtB) in various bacterial species.[2]
The molecular structure of the M-box example upstream of the B. subtilis ykoK gene includes six bound Mg2+ ions. Biochemical studies indicate that this M-Box RNA compacts in the presence of Mg2+ and other divalent ions. This folding process appears to disrupt an antiterminator structure, and thereby allow a transcription terminator structure to form. As expected from this model, B. subtilis cells repress expression of a downstream reporter gene when grown in the presence of Mg2+. Therefore, the M-box appears to function as a genetic "off" switch that is important for maintaining Mg2+ homeostasis in bacteria.
A 3D representation of the Ykok leader. Structure of the M-box riboswitch aptamer domain from Bacillus subtilis.[2]
