Cell-free riboswitches

RSC Chem Biol. 2021 Aug 4;2(5):1430-1440. doi: 10.1039/d1cb00138h. eCollection 2021 Oct 7.

Abstract

The emerging community of cell-free synthetic biology aspires to build complex biochemical and genetic systems with functions that mimic or even exceed those in living cells. To achieve such functions, cell-free systems must be able to sense and respond to the complex chemical signals within and outside the system. Cell-free riboswitches can detect chemical signals via RNA-ligand interaction and respond by regulating protein synthesis in cell-free protein synthesis systems. In this article, we review synthetic cell-free riboswitches that function in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-free systems reported to date to provide a current perspective on the state of cell-free riboswitch technologies and their limitations.

Publication types

  • Review