RNA thermosensors are regulatory elements that cause changes in gene expression in response to temperature variation.  Many known thermosensors have been found in the 5'-untranslated region of prokaryotic genes involved in heat or cold shock responses or in pathogenic virulence.  We are studying RNA thermosensors involved in the heat shock response.  These thermosensors adopt a double-stranded conformation that prevents ribosomes from binding to the messenger RNA at ambient temperatures.  Melting of secondary structure under elevated temperature allows ribosomes to bind, thereby eliciting protein translation.  This work explores the use of SHAPE (Selective 2'-Hydroxyl Acylation analyzed by Primer Extension) to investigate several natural RNA thermosensors, with the ultimate goal of a detailed characterization of their temperature-dependent behavior.

Biochemical characterization of RNA thermosensor structure

246th National Meeting (2013)

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