Moco RNA motif

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.

Consensus secondary structure of Moco RNAs. Layout is similar to a previously published figure.^[2]

Moco (molybdenum cofactor) riboswitch
Predicted secondary structure and sequence conservation of MOCO_RNA_motif
Identifiers
Symbol	MOCO_RNA_motif
Rfam	RF01055
Other data
RNA type	Cis-reg; riboswitch
Domain(s)	Bacteria
SO	SO:0005836
PDB structures	PDBe