The Yersinia pestis gcvB gene encodes two small regulatory RNA molecules.
BACKGROUND
In recent years it has become clear that small non-coding RNAs function as regulatory elements in bacterial virulence and bacterial stress responses. We tested for the presence of the small non-coding GcvB RNAs in Y. pestis as possible regulators of gene expression in this organism.


RESULTS
In this study, we report that the Yersinia pestis KIM6 gcvB gene encodes two small RNAs. Transcription of gcvB is activated by the GcvA protein and repressed by the GcvR protein. The gcvB-encoded RNAs are required for repression of the Y. pestis dppA gene, encoding the periplasmic-binding protein component of the dipeptide transport system, showing that the GcvB RNAs have regulatory activity. A deletion of the gcvB gene from the Y. pestis KIM6 chromosome results in a decrease in the generation time of the organism as well as a change in colony morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that the Y. pestis gcvB gene encodes two small non-coding regulatory RNAs that repress dppA expression. A gcvB deletion is pleiotropic, suggesting that the sRNAs are likely involved in controlling genes in addition to dppA.
McArthur
Sarah D
SD
Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. sdmcarthur5@yahoo.com
Pulvermacher
Sarah C
SC
Stauffer
George V
GV
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D033902:Periplasmic Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C095454:GcvA protein, E coli; C095455:GcvR protein, E coli; D033902:Periplasmic Binding Proteins; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066768:dppA protein, E coli