[1] This binding causes a conformational change in the mRNA that can affect translation by revealing an expression platform for a downstream gene, or by forming a translation-terminating stem-loop.

[3] Associations that a purine makes when it is within this binding pocket stabilize the three-way junction, and support the ligand-bound conformation of the mRNA molecule.

This mechanistic uniqueness of the add adenine riboswitch may serve as a benefit for organisms like Vibrio vulnificus, whose varied habitats require a particularly nuanced metabolic sensitivity to a wide variety of environmental conditions.

[6] Higher temperatures also favor the conversion of this unbound riboswitch to the adenine-bound, start-sequence-exposed conformation.

[6] The concentration of Magnesium ion has an influence on only the latter of these conformation changes, and favors the binding of adenine to the riboswitch.

The xpt gene encodes a specific xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase protein, which is involved in purine metabolism.

[5] Since the function of this region is important to bacterial metabolism, purine riboswitches constitute a potentially useful drug target.