title: Systematic and functional identification of small non-coding RNAs associated with exogenous biofuel stress in cyanobacteriumSynechocystissp. PCC 6803.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The unicellular model cyanobacteriumSynechocystissp. PCC 6803 is considered a promising microbial chassis for biofuel production. However, its low tolerance to biofuel toxicity limits its potential application. Although recent studies showed that bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) play important roles in regulating cellular processes in response to various stresses, the role of sRNAs in resisting exogenous biofuels is yet to be determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on genome-wide sRNA sequencing combined with systematic analysis of previous transcriptomic and proteomic data under the same biofuel or environmental perturbations, we report the identification of 133trans-encoded sRNA transcripts with high-resolution mapping of sRNAs inSynechocystis, including 23 novel sRNAs identified for the first time. In addition, according to quantitative expression analysis and sRNA regulatory network prediction, sRNAs potentially involved in biofuel tolerance were identified and functionally confirmed by constructing sRNA overexpression or suppression strains ofSynechocystis. Notably, overexpression of sRNA Nc117 revealed an improved tolerance to ethanol and butanol, while suppression of Nc117 led to increased sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provided the first comprehensive responses to exogenous biofuels at the sRNA level inSynechocystisand opens an avenue to engineering sRNA regulatory elements for improved biofuel tolerance in the cyanobacteriumSynechocystis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guangsheng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Synthetic Microbiology, School of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education of China, Tianjin, 300072 People's Republic of China.|Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.|Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weiwen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: Biofuels; Synechocystis; Tolerance; sRNA