Featured Publications
Na+ riboswitches regulate genes for diverse physiological processes in bacteria
White N, Sadeeshkumar H, Sun A, Sudarsan N, Breaker RR. Na+ riboswitches regulate genes for diverse physiological processes in bacteria. Nature Chemical Biology 2022, 18: 878-885. PMID: 35879547, PMCID: PMC9337991, DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01086-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBacteriaGene Expression Regulation, BacterialIonsNucleic Acid ConformationPhysiological PhenomenaRiboswitchRNA, BacterialSodiumConceptsOsmotic stressGene expressionDiverse physiological processesMetal ion transportersGene expression changesExpression of genesRiboswitch classesBacterial proteinsIon transportersExpression changesPhysiological processesATP productionLow mM rangeGenesProteinExpressionBacteriaTranscriptionDissociation constantsOrganismsBiologyMM rangeTransportersMotifStressStructure 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
2023
A spermidine riboswitch class in bacteria exploits a close variant of an aptamer for the enzyme cofactor S-adenosylmethionine
Salvail H, Balaji A, Roth A, Breaker R. A spermidine riboswitch class in bacteria exploits a close variant of an aptamer for the enzyme cofactor S-adenosylmethionine. Cell Reports 2023, 42: 113571. PMID: 38096053, PMCID: PMC10853860, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113571.Peer-Reviewed Original Research8-oxoguanine riboswitches in bacteria detect and respond to oxidative DNA damage
Dhakal S, Kavita K, Panchapakesan S, Roth A, Breaker R. 8-oxoguanine riboswitches in bacteria detect and respond to oxidative DNA damage. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2023, 120: e2307854120. PMID: 37748066, PMCID: PMC10556655, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307854120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAptamers, NucleotideBacteriaDeoxyguanosineGuanineLigandsNucleic Acid ConformationOxidative StressRiboswitchXanthineConceptsAptamer domainGene expressionLigand specificityOxidative damageLigand-binding pocketRiboswitch classesFamilies of bacteriaRare variantsRiboswitch aptamerCertain oxidative stressesExposure of cellsOxidative DNA damageRiboswitchGene associationsRNA aptamersDNA damageNucleotide poolBacteriaTarget ligandsOxidative stressMutationsNumerous alterationsPurine derivativesExpressionVariantsExploiting natural riboswitches for aptamer engineering and validation
Mohsen M, Midy M, Balaji A, Breaker R. Exploiting natural riboswitches for aptamer engineering and validation. Nucleic Acids Research 2023, 51: 966-981. PMID: 36617976, PMCID: PMC9881172, DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1218.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAptamers, NucleotideCaffeineGenetic EngineeringGuanineLigandsNucleic Acid ConformationQuinineRiboswitchConceptsNatural riboswitchesRiboswitch aptamerReporter gene expressionSecondary structure featuresRNA poolExpression platformVivo functionGene expressionSurvival mechanismRNA sequencesStructural featuresRiboswitchAptamer selectionSmall moleculesSequenceAptamerCellsGuanineTest tubeFuture effortsSelectionSelection strategyExpressionPoolAptamer engineering
2008
Riboswitches in Eubacteria Sense the Second Messenger Cyclic Di-GMP
Sudarsan N, Lee E, Weinberg Z, Moy R, Kim J, Link K, Breaker R. Riboswitches in Eubacteria Sense the Second Messenger Cyclic Di-GMP. Science 2008, 321: 411-413. PMID: 18635805, PMCID: PMC5304454, DOI: 10.1126/science.1159519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCyclic di-GMPVirulence gene expressionGene expressionSecond messenger cyclic di-GMPNumerous fundamental cellular processesCyclic di-guanosine monophosphateFundamental cellular processesExpression of genesGMP riboswitchRiboswitch classesFlagellum biosynthesisBiofilm lifestyleCellular processesDiverse speciesPilus formationSecond messengerCell differentiationRiboswitchBacterial speciesMessenger RNARNA dinucleotideSpeciesExpressionPhysiological changesRegulon
2001
Characterization of a DNA-Cleaving deoxyribozyme
Carmi N, Breaker R. Characterization of a DNA-Cleaving deoxyribozyme. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 2001, 9: 2589-2600. PMID: 11557347, DOI: 10.1016/s0968-0896(01)00035-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBase SequenceCatalysisCopperDeoxyadenosinesDeoxyribonucleotidesDNADNA, CatalyticDNA, Single-StrandedElectrophoresis, Gel, Two-DimensionalModels, MolecularMolecular StructureNucleic Acid ConformationOxidation-ReductionSequence Analysis, DNAStructure-Activity RelationshipSubstrate SpecificityCooperative binding of effectors by an allosteric ribozyme
Jose A, Soukup G, Breaker R. Cooperative binding of effectors by an allosteric ribozyme. Nucleic Acids Research 2001, 29: 1631-1637. PMID: 11266567, PMCID: PMC31269, DOI: 10.1093/nar/29.7.1631.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBase SequenceBinding SitesFlavin MononucleotideKineticsMolecular Sequence DataNucleic Acid ConformationOligonucleotidesRNARNA, CatalyticTheophyllineConceptsAllosteric ribozymesCooperative bindingModular rational designAbsence of effectorsAllosteric proteinsRNA modulesRNA structureMolecular switchAllosteric effectorsFirst bindsFunctional complexityEffectorsDifferent effectorsInduces formationFMNStructural studiesRNARibozymeRibozyme constructsBindingRational designProteinBindsSitesConcertGenerating new ligand-binding RNAs by affinity maturation and disintegration of allosteric ribozymes.
Soukup G, DeRose E, Koizumi M, Breaker R. Generating new ligand-binding RNAs by affinity maturation and disintegration of allosteric ribozymes. RNA 2001, 7: 524-36. PMID: 11345431, PMCID: PMC1370106, DOI: 10.1017/s1355838201002175.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEffector-binding domainAllosteric ribozymesRandom mutagenesisMolecular switchLigand-binding RNAsRNA molecular switchCyclic nucleotide monophosphatesModular rational designSecondary structure organizationSpecific effector moleculesGenetic switchDirect mutational analysisNucleotide covariationsCatalytic domainPhylogeny dataMutational analysisModular engineeringCatalytic moduleNucleic acid structuresNucleotide monophosphatesEffector moleculesAffinity maturationRibozymeMutagenesisHammerhead ribozymeImmobilized RNA switches for the analysis of complex chemical and biological mixtures
Seetharaman S, Zivarts M, Sudarsan N, Breaker R. Immobilized RNA switches for the analysis of complex chemical and biological mixtures. Nature Biotechnology 2001, 19: 336-341. PMID: 11283591, DOI: 10.1038/86723.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug analytesMetal ionsBiological mixturesBiosensor arrayAnalyte sensorRNA molecular switchComplex mixturesComplex chemicalMolecular switchEnzyme cofactorMixtureRNA switchesBacterial culture mediumAnalytesMoietyIonsGoldImmobilizationCorresponding effectorsChemicalsStatus of targetAddressable pixelsRibozymeCofactor
2000
Tech.Sight. Molecular biology. Making catalytic DNAs.
Breaker R. Tech.Sight. Molecular biology. Making catalytic DNAs. Science 2000, 290: 2095-6. PMID: 11187837, DOI: 10.1126/science.290.5499.2095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBinding SitesCatalysisCatalytic DomainDNADNA, CatalyticNucleic Acid ConformationOxidation-ReductionPhosphorylationRNAMolecular Recognition of cAMP by an RNA Aptamer †
Koizumi M, Breaker R. Molecular Recognition of cAMP by an RNA Aptamer †. Biochemistry 2000, 39: 8983-8992. PMID: 10913311, DOI: 10.1021/bi000149n.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAllosteric nucleic acid catalysts
Soukup G, Breaker R. Allosteric nucleic acid catalysts. Current Opinion In Structural Biology 2000, 10: 318-325. PMID: 10851196, DOI: 10.1016/s0959-440x(00)00090-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAllosteric RegulationAnimalsCatalysisDNADNA-Binding ProteinsDrug DesignHumansNucleic Acid ConformationRNARNA-Binding ProteinsStructural diversity of self-cleaving ribozymes
Tang J, Breaker R. Structural diversity of self-cleaving ribozymes. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2000, 97: 5784-5789. PMID: 10823936, PMCID: PMC18511, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.97.11.5784.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltering molecular recognition of RNA aptamers by allosteric selection11Edited by D. E. Draper
Soukup G, Emilsson G, Breaker R. Altering molecular recognition of RNA aptamers by allosteric selection11Edited by D. E. Draper. Journal Of Molecular Biology 2000, 298: 623-632. PMID: 10788325, DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2000.3704.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCapping DNA with DNA †
Li Y, Liu Y, Breaker R. Capping DNA with DNA †. Biochemistry 2000, 39: 3106-3114. PMID: 10715132, DOI: 10.1021/bi992710r.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1999
Nucleic acid molecular switches
Soukup G, Breaker R. Nucleic acid molecular switches. Trends In Biotechnology 1999, 17: 469-476. PMID: 10557159, DOI: 10.1016/s0167-7799(99)01383-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAllosteric selection of ribozymes that respond to the second messengers cGMP and cAMP
Koizumi M, Soukup G, Kerr J, Breaker R. Allosteric selection of ribozymes that respond to the second messengers cGMP and cAMP. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 1999, 6: 1062-1071. PMID: 10542100, DOI: 10.1038/14947.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRNA molecular switchGenetic control elementsMolecular recognition characteristicsEmergence of ribozymesSecond messenger cGMPRNAs exhibitAllosteric ribozymesRNA transcriptsCellular RNASelective sensorCAMP additionMolecular switchFold activationCatalytic rateRecognition characteristicsRibozymeControl elementsEffector compoundsHammerhead ribozymeChemical agentsCompoundsStructural characteristicsSpecific nucleosideNew combinatorial strategyCombinatorial strategiesRelationship between internucleotide linkage geometry and the stability of RNA.
Soukup G, Breaker R. Relationship between internucleotide linkage geometry and the stability of RNA. RNA 1999, 5: 1308-25. PMID: 10573122, PMCID: PMC1369853, DOI: 10.1017/s1355838299990891.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDesign of allosteric hammerhead ribozymes activated by ligand-induced structure stabilization
Soukup G, Breaker R. Design of allosteric hammerhead ribozymes activated by ligand-induced structure stabilization. Structure 1999, 7: 783-791. PMID: 10425680, DOI: 10.1016/s0969-2126(99)80102-6.Peer-Reviewed Original Research