Featured Publications
Discovering riboswitches: the past and the future
Kavita K, Breaker RR. Discovering riboswitches: the past and the future. Trends In Biochemical Sciences 2022, 48: 119-141. PMID: 36150954, PMCID: PMC10043782, DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.08.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchStructure of a bacterial OapB protein with its OLE RNA target gives insights into the architecture of the OLE ribonucleoprotein complex
Yang Y, Harris KA, Widner DL, Breaker RR. Structure of a bacterial OapB protein with its OLE RNA target gives insights into the architecture of the OLE ribonucleoprotein complex. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2021, 118: e2020393118. PMID: 33619097, PMCID: PMC7936274, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020393118.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceBacillusBacterial ProteinsBase SequenceBinding SitesCloning, MolecularCrystallography, X-RayEscherichia coliGene ExpressionGene Expression Regulation, BacterialGenetic VectorsMolecular Docking SimulationNucleic Acid ConformationProtein BindingProtein Conformation, alpha-HelicalProtein Conformation, beta-StrandProtein Interaction Domains and MotifsRecombinant ProteinsRibonucleoproteinsRNA, BacterialRNA, UntranslatedConceptsOLE RNARNP complexesBiological functionsBacterial noncoding RNAsRNA-binding surfaceProtein-RNA interfacesHigh-resolution structuresUnique structural elementsKOW motifProtein partnersHigh conservationRibonucleoprotein complexesRNA classesRNA interactionsNoncoding RNAsBacterial responseOapBRNA targetsRNA fragmentsAtomic detailRNAProtein BMolecular contactsProtein AStructural features
2024
Genetic disruption of the bacterial raiA motif noncoding RNA causes defects in sporulation and aggregation
Soares L, King C, Fernando C, Roth A, Breaker R. Genetic disruption of the bacterial raiA motif noncoding RNA causes defects in sporulation and aggregation. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2318008121. PMID: 38306478, PMCID: PMC10861870, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318008121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMotif RNAsGenetic disruptionSecondary structure modelKnock-out strainTrans-acting factorsNoncoding RNAsCell differentiation processAbundant RNATransfer RNANcRNA classesRibosomal RNASpore formationMotif genesCellular processesBacterial speciesCellular functionsBioinformatics analysisExpression analysisMotifRNAGenesBiochemical mechanismsNcRNAsDifferentiation processStructural probes
2023
Evidence that OLE RNA is a component of a major stress‐responsive ribonucleoprotein particle in extremophilic bacteria
Breaker R, Harris K, Lyon S, Wencker F, Fernando C. Evidence that OLE RNA is a component of a major stress‐responsive ribonucleoprotein particle in extremophilic bacteria. Molecular Microbiology 2023, 120: 324-340. PMID: 37469248, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15129.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOLE RNAPrecise biochemical functionFundamental cellular processesCell growthTOR complexesProtein partnersRibonucleoprotein complexesCellular processesRNP complexesBiochemical functionsGram-positive bacteriaNoncoding RNAsRibonucleoprotein particleExtremophilic bacteriaBacterial speciesGenetic disruptionStress conditionsDiverse pathwaysRNAMetabolic adaptationCell membraneExtreme environmentsCarbon sourceBacteriaComplexes
2022
Ornate, large, extremophilic (OLE) RNA forms a kink turn necessary for OapC protein recognition and RNA function
Lyon S, Harris K, Odzer N, Wilkins S, Breaker R. Ornate, large, extremophilic (OLE) RNA forms a kink turn necessary for OapC protein recognition and RNA function. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2022, 298: 102674. PMID: 36336078, PMCID: PMC9723947, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102674.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOLE RNARNP complexesRNA-protein binding assaysPrecise biochemical functionRNA structural motifsInability of cellsNatural binding sitesRibonucleoprotein complexesRNA functionBiochemical functionsExhibit phenotypesBacterial proteinsK-turnKink turnBacillus haloduransDisruptive mutationsSame proteinBacterial speciesProtein recognitionAnaerobic bacterial speciesFunctional roleSecondary structureRNAProteinOapB