Biochemistry Laboratory Manual For Undergraduates

The ykkCD RNA sensor is a riboswitch. Riboswitches are conserved elements in the mRNA that regulate gene expression by allosteric structural changes. They are located in the 5’ untranslated region (5’UTR) of the gene they regulate. Most riboswitches characterized to date turn off expression of a metabolite-producing gene once sufficient amounts of metabolite is synthesized.