title: Efficient degradation and expression prioritization with small RNAs.
abstract: We build a simple model for feedback systems involving small RNA (sRNA) molecules based on the iron metabolism system in the bacterium E. coli, and compare it with the corresponding system in H. pylori which uses purely transcriptional regulation. This reveals several unique features of sRNA-based regulation that could be exploited by cells. Firstly, we show that sRNA regulation can maintain a smaller turnover of target mRNAs than transcriptional regulation, without sacrificing the speed of response to external shocks. Secondly, we propose that a single sRNA can prioritize the usage of different target mRNAs. This suggests that sRNA regulation would be more common in more complex systems which need to co-regulate many mRNAs efficiently.
authors.affiliation: Niels Bohr Institute, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. namiko@stat.phys.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Namiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mitarai
authors.forename: Anna M C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: Szabolcs
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Semsey
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sneppen
mesh_terms: D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D007501:Iron