Focus on RNA

In This Issue - pv

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-v

Full Text - In This Issue | PDF (132 KB) - In This Issue

Focus on RNA

A windfall for RNA - p1

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-1

Two 2006 Nobel prizes reflect the central role of RNA in gene regulation and emphasize the interplay of discoveries in chemistry and biology.

Full Text - A windfall for RNA | PDF (702 KB) - A windfall for RNA

Focus on RNA

Chemical crosshairs on the central dogma - pp2 - 7

Aseem Z Ansari

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-2

As cellular machines and processes that regulate the flow of genomic information have come into sharper focus, a new level of chemical control has become possible. The scope of such chemical intervention extends from the mechanistic dissection of biochemical processes in living cells to the targeted control of gene networks and cell fate.

Full Text - Chemical crosshairs on the central dogma | PDF (1,616 KB) - Chemical crosshairs on the central dogma

Focus on RNA

RNA learns from antisense - pp8 - 11

David R Corey

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-8

RNA interference provides powerful tools for controlling gene expression in cultured cells. Whether RNAi will provide similarly powerful drugs is unknown. Lessons from development of antisense oligonucleotide drugs may provide some clues.

Full Text - RNA learns from antisense | PDF (988 KB) - RNA learns from antisense

Focus on RNA

RNA at Santa Cruz - p13

Mirella Bucci

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-13

Nestled in an atmosphere that resembles a national park, the Center for Molecular Biology of RNA at the University of California, Santa Cruz is fulfilling Harry Noller's vision of bringing together multidisciplinary researchers to solve problems that range from finding obscure RNAs to understanding the origin of life.

Full Text - RNA at Santa Cruz | PDF (571 KB) - RNA at Santa Cruz

Fighting toxic copper in a bacterial pathogen - pp15 - 16

Carrie M Wilmot

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-15

A copper-responsive transcriptional repressor with an unusual DNA binding fold has been identified that represents the founding member of an extensive new family of bacterial transcriptional regulators.

Full Text - Fighting toxic copper in a bacterial pathogen | PDF (649 KB) - Fighting toxic copper in a bacterial pathogen

See also: Article by Liu et al.

'Turning on' riboswitches to their antibacterial potential - pp16 - 17

Charles R Lea & Joseph A Piccirilli

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-16

Drug-resistant bacteria are a growing challenge to world health, and new approaches to antibiotic development are needed. Riboswitches, regulatory elements of mRNA, are shown to be a potential new target for antibiotic drugs.

Full Text - 'Turning on' riboswitches to their antibacterial potential | PDF (216 KB) - 'Turning on' riboswitches to their antibacterial potential

See also: Letter by Blount et al.

Shining a light on protein expression in living organisms - pp17 - 18

Francine B Perler

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-17

Imagine being able to rapidly switch on your favorite protein at a specified concentration, location and time in a live multicellular organism. Sounds like a dream? Recent advances in controlling protein splicing with small molecules are close to making it a reality.

Full Text - Shining a light on protein expression in living organisms | PDF (444 KB) - Shining a light on protein expression in living organisms

See also: Letter by Schwartz et al.

Are we there yet? - pp19 - 20

William C Merrick

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-19

After years of waiting, the road map for the path of the mRNA on the ribosome with its associated tRNAs has been completed. In contrast to the amino-acid-coding nucleotides of the body of the mRNA, the Shine-Delgarno region appears to take an unexpected turn on the surface of the 30S subunit in the transition from the initiation complex to the postinitiation complex.

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Sensing RNA virus infections - pp20 - 21

Christopher F Basler & Adolfo García-Sastre

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-20

RIG-I is an RNA helicase that senses viral infections and triggers innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. Recent studies have identified RNAs bearing 5'-triphosphates as ligands of RIG-I and have suggested a mechanism for how RIG-I distinguishes viral RNA from host RNA.

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Research Highlights - p22

doi:10.1038/nchembio0107-22

Full Text - Research Highlights | PDF (146 KB) - Research Highlights

Focus on RNA

Synthetic RNA circuits - pp23 - 28

Eric A Davidson & Andrew D Ellington

doi:10.1038/nchembio846

Abstract - Synthetic RNA circuits | Full Text - Synthetic RNA circuits | PDF (239 KB) - Synthetic RNA circuits

Focus on RNA

Natural expansion of the genetic code - pp29 - 35

Alexandre Ambrogelly, Sotiria Palioura & Dieter Söll

doi:10.1038/nchembio847

Abstract - Natural expansion of the genetic code | Full Text - Natural expansion of the genetic code | PDF (466 KB) - Natural expansion of the genetic code

Focus on RNA

Slicer and the Argonautes - pp36 - 43

Niraj H Tolia & Leemor Joshua-Tor

doi:10.1038/nchembio848

Abstract - Slicer and the Argonautes | Full Text - Slicer and the Argonautes | PDF (1,403 KB) - Slicer and the Argonautes