YkoK leader

The Ykok leader or M-box is a Mg²⁺-sensing RNA structure that controls the expression of Magnesium ion transport proteins in bacteria. It is a distinct structure to the Magnesium responsive RNA element.

The Ykok leader was originally described as a conserved sequence with potential riboswitch function found upstream of the B. subtilis ykoK gene and genes with related functions in other bacteria. Examples of the conserved M-box RNA structure occur upstream of each of the three major families of Mg²⁺ transporters (CorA, MgtE and MgtA/MgtB) in various bacterial species.

The molecular structure of the M-box example upstream of the B. subtilis ykoK gene includes six bound Mg²⁺ ions. Biochemical studies indicate that this M-Box RNA compacts in the presence of Mg²⁺ and other divalent ions. This folding process appears to disrupt an antiterminator structure, and thereby allow a transcription terminator structure to form. As expected from this model, B. subtilis cells repress expression of a downstream reporter gene when grown in the presence of Mg²⁺. Therefore, the M-box appears to function as a genetic "off" switch that is important for maintaining Mg²⁺ homeostasis in bacteria.