Moco RNA motif explained

Moco (molybdenum cofactor) riboswitch
Symbol:	MOCO_RNA_motif
Rfam:	RF01055
Rna Type:	Cis-reg riboswitch
Tax Domain:	Bacteria

The Moco RNA motif is a conserved RNA structure ^[1] that is presumed to be a riboswitch that binds molybdenum cofactor or the related tungsten cofactor. Genetic experiments support the hypothesis that the Moco RNA motif corresponds to a genetic control element that responds to changing concentrations of molybdenum or tungsten cofactor.^[2] As these cofactors are not available in purified form, in vitro binding assays cannot be performed. However, the genetic data, complex structure of the RNA and the failure to detect a protein involved in the regulation suggest that the Moco RNA motif corresponds to a class of riboswitches.

Notes and References

1. Weinberg Z, Barrick JE, Yao Z, etal . Identification of 22 candidate structured RNAs in bacteria using the CMfinder comparative genomics pipeline . Nucleic Acids Res. . 35 . 14 . 4809–4819 . 2007 . 17621584 . 10.1093/nar/gkm487 . 1950547.
2. Regulski EE, Moy RH, Weinberg Z, etal . A widespread riboswitch candidate that controls bacterial genes involved in molybdenum cofactor and tungsten cofactor metabolism . Mol. Microbiol. . 68. 4. 918–932. 2008 . 18363797 . 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06208.x . 2408646.