RNA Decoys for DNA Binding Proteins

There is growing appreciation that small, non-coding RNAs can participate in gene regulation. Can small RNAs inhibit DNA-binding proteins? We have developed an artificial example by performing in vitro genetic selection experiments identifying a small RNA aptamer that competitively inhibits human transcription factor NF-kappaB binding to DNA in vitro. Optimization by yeast in vivo genetic selections resulted in an RNA that inhibits NF-kappaB in living yeast cells. We have solved the X-ray co-crystal structure of this unusual RNA/NF-I