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RNA-Based Networks: Using RNA Aptamers and Ribozymes as Synthetic Genetic Devices

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Synthetic Gene Networks

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 813))

Abstract

Within the last few years, a set of synthetic riboswitches has been engineered, which expands the toolbox of genetic regulatory devices. Small molecule binding aptamers have been used for the design of such riboswitches by insertion into untranslated regions of mRNAs, exploiting the fact that upon ligand binding the RNA structure interferes either with translation initiation or pre-mRNA splicing in yeast. In combination with self-cleaving ribozymes, aptamers have been used to modulate RNA stability. In this chapter, we discuss the applicability of different aptamers, ways to identify novel genetic devices, the pros and cons of various insertion sites and the application of allosteric ribozymes. Our expertise help to apply synthetic riboswitches to engineer complex genetic circuits.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Aventis Foundation, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SU402/4-1 and the Excellence Cluster: Macromolecular Complexes) and the Else-Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany

    Julia E. Weigand, Alexander Wittmann & Beatrix Suess

Authors
  1. Julia E. Weigand
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  2. Alexander Wittmann
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  3. Beatrix Suess
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beatrix Suess .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. Biologie II, Zentrum für Biologische Signalstudien, Universität Freiburg, Stübeweg 51, Freiburg, 79108, Germany

    Wilfried Weber

  2. Dept. Ingenieurwissenschaften, Biosysteme (BSSE), ETH Zürich, Mattenstr. 26, Basel, 4058, Switzerland

    Martin Fussenegger

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Weigand, J.E., Wittmann, A., Suess, B. (2012). RNA-Based Networks: Using RNA Aptamers and Ribozymes as Synthetic Genetic Devices. In: Weber, W., Fussenegger, M. (eds) Synthetic Gene Networks. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 813. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-412-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-412-4_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-411-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-412-4

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