Controlling heterologous protein synthesis through a plant RNA ThermoSwitch

Abstract

Plants are far from passive in the face of changing temperatures and have evolved transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational strategies to stay one step ahead of the environment. Among the most exciting recent discoveries are RNA ThermoSwitches, embedded within 5′ untranslated regions (UTR) of several mRNAs. These cis-acting RNA elements sense temperature shifts and instantly tune translational output, acting as molecular thermostats inside the cell. First uncovered in Arabidopsis thaliana, ThermoSwitches are now emerging as a powerful new frontier for biotechnology, offering a programmable way to modulate protein production through temperature adjustments.