The alpha operon ribosome binding site in bacteria is surrounded by this complex pseudoknotted RNA structure. Translation of the mRNA produces 4 ribosomal protein products, one of which (S4) acts as a translational repressor by binding to the nested pseudoknot region. The mechanism of repression is thought to involve a conformational switch in the pseudoknot region and ribosome entrapment.[1]

References

  1. ^ Schlax PJ, Xavier KA, Gluick TC, Draper DE (October 2001). "Translational repression of the Escherichia coli alpha operon mRNA: importance of an mRNA conformational switch and a ternary entrapment complex". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 276 (42): 38494–38501. doi:10.1074/jbc.M106934200. PMID 11504736.

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