T-box
The T-box element is an RNA switch that controls genes involved in amino acid metabolism.
In the absence of an amino acid, the uncharged tRNA binds the T-box region in the leader region of the mRNA of the controlled gene/ operon and thereby prevents the formation of a transcription terminator. The result is gene expression of the target gene in the absence of the specific amino acid.
Contents
Complete list of genes controlled by T-box elements
- Induction by alanine limitation
 
- Induction by serine limitation
 
Structure of a T-box ribowsitch
Melinda S Gerdeman, Tina M Henkin, Jennifer V Hines  
Solution structure of the Bacillus subtilis T-box antiterminator RNA: seven nucleotide bulge characterized by stacking and flexibility. 
J Mol Biol: 2003, 326(1);189-201 
[PubMed:12547201]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
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Reviews on T-box regulation
Nicholas J Green, Frank J Grundy, Tina M Henkin  
The T box mechanism: tRNA as a regulatory molecule. 
FEBS Lett: 2010, 584(2);318-24 
[PubMed:19932103]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
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Ana Gutiérrez-Preciado, Tina M Henkin, Frank J Grundy, Charles Yanofsky, Enrique Merino  
Biochemical features and functional implications of the RNA-based T-box regulatory mechanism. 
Microbiol Mol Biol Rev: 2009, 73(1);36-61 
[PubMed:19258532]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
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T M Henkin, F J Grundy  
Sensing metabolic signals with nascent RNA transcripts: the T box and S box riboswitches as paradigms. 
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol: 2006, 71;231-7 
[PubMed:17381302]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
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Frank J Grundy, Tessa R Moir, Margaret T Haldeman, Tina M Henkin  
Sequence requirements for terminators and antiterminators in the T box transcription antitermination system: disparity between conservation and functional requirements. 
Nucleic Acids Res: 2002, 30(7);1646-55 
[PubMed:11917026]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
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M Pelchat, J Lapointe  
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes of Bacillus subtilis: organization and regulation. 
Biochem Cell Biol: 1999, 77(4);343-7 
[PubMed:10546897]
  [WorldCat.org]
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T M Henkin  
tRNA-directed transcription antitermination. 
Mol Microbiol: 1994, 13(3);381-7 
[PubMed:7527891]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
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F J Grundy, T M Henkin  
tRNA as a positive regulator of transcription antitermination in B. subtilis. 
Cell: 1993, 74(3);475-82 
[PubMed:8348614]
  [WorldCat.org]
 [DOI]
 (P p)