Regulatory RNAs at the Heart of Sugar Metabolism: New Mechanisms and Novel Discoveries

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2011-02-01

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Irnov

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Abstract

Bacteria are adept at using a variety of posttranscriptional strategies to regulate gene expression. Specifically, various RNA-mediated genetic control elements have been discovered in the past decade through a combination of genetics, bioinformatics, and transcriptomic approaches. Together, these RNA elements control the expression of many genes involved in diverse cellular processes such as energy metabolism, stress response, biofilm formation, and pathogenesis. In the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, several RNA elements have been shown to be required for the precise coordination of genes involved in various sugar utilization pathways. These genetic switches typically regulate gene expression by modulating the formation of a transcription termination element in a ligand-dependent manner. Interestingly, two unique elements, the glmS ribozyme and the eps-associated RNA (EAR), are missing the signature elements required for control of transcription termination or translation initiation. The latter mechanism is more commonly found in Gram-negative bacteria. Our objective is to study the mechanisms by which these two RNAs control gene expression. Additionally, we would like to identify other regulatory RNAs that are important for sugar metabolism in Bacillus subtilis. Both the glmS ribozyme and EAR are positioned at the center of the sugar metabolism pathways in B. subtilis. The glmS RNA is a glucosamine-6-phosphate responsive element that regulates the expression of the GlmS enzyme, which directs sugar precursors from glycolysis into the cell wall biosynthesis pathway. The EAR element resides within the 16-kb eps operon that is required for biofilm exopolysaccharide production. Our data demonstrates that both RNAs employ novel mechanisms: the glmS ribozyme utilizes a ligand-specific RNase-mediated degradation event, while EAR uses a processive antitermination mechanism for complete synthesis of the long operon. Furthermore, by using high-throughput sequencing approach we have successfully identified many new regulatory RNA candidates, including various long 5`-UTR, toxin-antitoxin systems, prophage-encoded RNAs, and several developmentally regulated small RNAs. Their functions are still under investigation. Collectively, our studies provide important insights into the different aspects of bacterial physiology, including RNA decay pathways, transcription of long operons and cellular differentiation. We argue that posttranscriptional regulation is of greater importance to Bacillus subtilis (and probably all bacteria) than previously realized.

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