The role of RNAs in the regulation of virulence-gene expression.
Bacterial pathogens sense their environment, and in response, virulence genes are induced or repressed through spatial and temporal regulation. They are also subjected to stress conditions, which require appropriate responses. Recent research has revealed that RNAs are key regulators in pathogens. Small RNAs regulate the translation and/or stability of mRNAs that encode virulence proteins, or proteins with roles in adaptive responses, which are triggered by environmental cues and stresses. In most cases, these small RNAs act directly on target RNAs by an antisense mechanism. Other small RNAs act indirectly, by sequestration of regulatory proteins. Direct sensing of environmental signals can occur through induced structural changes in mRNAs.
Romby
Pascale
P
UPR 9002 CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France. p.romby@ibmc.u-strasbg.fr
Vandenesch
François
F
Wagner
E Gerhart H
EG
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / Q000235:genetics*; D014774:Virulence
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic