Mechanistic principles of regulation by small RNAs
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are major regulators of gene expression in bacteria, exerting their regulation in trans by base pairing with target RNAs. Traditionally, sRNAs were considered post-transcriptional regulators, mainly regulating t...
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are major regulators of gene expression in bacteria, exerting their regulation in trans by base pairing with target RNAs. Traditionally, sRNAs were considered post-transcriptional regulators, mainly regulating translation by blocking or exposing the ribosome binding site. However, accumulating evidence suggest that sRNAs can exploit the base pairing to manipulate their targets in different ways, assisting or interfering with various molecular processes involving the target RNA. Currently there are a few examples of these alternative regulation modes, but their extent and implications in the cellular circuitry have not been assessed. Here we propose to take advantage of the power of RNA-seq-based technologies to develop innovative approaches to address these challenges transcriptome-wide. These approaches will enable us to map the regulatory mechanism a sRNA employs per target through its effect on a certain molecular process. For feasibility we propose studying three processes: RNA cleavage by RNase E, pre-mature Rho-dependent transcription termination, and transcription elongation pausing. Finding targets regulated by sRNA manipulation of the two latter processes would be especially intriguing, as it would suggest that sRNAs can function as gene-specific transcription regulators (alluded to by our preliminary results). As a basis of our research we will use the network of ~2400 sRNA-target pairs in Escherichia coli, deciphered by RIL-seq (a method we recently developed for global in vivo detection of sRNA targets). Revealing the regulatory mechanism(s) employed per target will shed light on the principles underlying the integration of distinct sRNA regulation modes in specific regulatory circuits and cellular contexts, with direct implications to synthetic biology and pathogenic bacteria. Our study may change the way sRNAs are perceived, from post-transcriptional to versatile regulators that apply different regulation modes to different targets.ver más
Seleccionando "Aceptar todas las cookies" acepta el uso de cookies para ayudarnos a brindarle una mejor experiencia de usuario y para analizar el uso del sitio web. Al hacer clic en "Ajustar tus preferencias" puede elegir qué cookies permitir. Solo las cookies esenciales son necesarias para el correcto funcionamiento de nuestro sitio web y no se pueden rechazar.
Cookie settings
Nuestro sitio web almacena cuatro tipos de cookies. En cualquier momento puede elegir qué cookies acepta y cuáles rechaza. Puede obtener más información sobre qué son las cookies y qué tipos de cookies almacenamos en nuestra Política de cookies.
Son necesarias por razones técnicas. Sin ellas, este sitio web podría no funcionar correctamente.
Son necesarias para una funcionalidad específica en el sitio web. Sin ellos, algunas características pueden estar deshabilitadas.
Nos permite analizar el uso del sitio web y mejorar la experiencia del visitante.
Nos permite personalizar su experiencia y enviarle contenido y ofertas relevantes, en este sitio web y en otros sitios web.