RIP-seq identification of RNAs enriched on RNA polymerase and the primary sigma factor (sigma A) in Mycobacterium smegmatis
6S RNA is a small RNA with specific secondary structure that associates with the complex of RNA polymerase (RNAP) and the primary sigma factor in majority of bacteria. In mycobacteria, Ms1 interacts with the RNAP core without the sigma factor and probably replaces 6S RNA. To identify RNAs that have a similar function as Ms1 or to identify a new 6S RNA in mycobacteria, we sequenced RNAs that co-immunoprecipitated with RNAP or the primary sigma factor sigma A. We also sequenced total RNA isolated from the lysate (input sample). We expect that putative regulatory RNAs are enriched in RNA polymerase or sigma A samples compared to the inputs. The experiment was performed in exponential and stationary phase of growth.