Researchers from the University of Warsaw (UW), in collaboration with Japanese scientists, are delving into the realm of riboswitches – RNA segments controlling protein production in bacteria. Published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” (PNAS), their study investigates the dynamics of neomycin-riboswitch systems through molecular simulations.
The Significance of Riboswitches in Antibiotic Development
Riboswitches, located upstream of mRNA protein-coding regions, modulate protein synthesis in response to specific molecules, typically metabolites. Targeting these switches presents a potential avenue for novel antibiotics. Synthetic riboswitches, though challenging to design, offer a means to regulate protein production in various cell types, including human cells.
The team analyzed a synthetic riboswitch binding neomycin, elucidating the binding pathway. Their simulations shed light on the switch’s functionality, aiding in the design of synthetic counterparts for precise protein regulation. Understanding neomycin’s interaction with riboswitches could optimize its efficacy as an antibacterial agent.