RNA switches function to regulate transcription and translation by adopting distinct and structurally well-defined states. We have discovered a new class of ligand-responsive RNA mechanical switches which differ from conventional metabolite-sensing riboswitches. These RNA switches adopt very different but stable ligand-free or bound conformational states while maintaining the same secondary structure.  Here we describe the discovery of these RNA switch motifs in diverse positive strand RNA viruses.  RNA switch function in viral translation initiation requiring selective ligand recognition is conserved across these viruses despite extensive variations in sequence and local secondary structure.  We report on how the use of techniques including FRET, <i>in vitro</i> translation, and crystallography have helped reveal the details of RNA switch structure, function and dynamics.

Ligand-responsive viral RNA switches: Simple conformational switching modules in noncoding RNA

251st National Meeting (2016)

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