Modulation of Bacterial Fitness and Virulence Through Antisense RNAs

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Rahul Raghavan¹  Jess A. Millar² 

[1] Department of Biology and Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States;Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States;Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States;Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States;

关键词: asRNA;    anti-sense RNA;    pathogenesis;    virulence;    bacteria;    regulation;    riboregulation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcimb.2020.596277

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Regulatory RNAs contribute to gene expression control in bacteria. Antisense RNAs (asRNA) are a class of regulatory RNAs that are transcribed from opposite strands of their target genes. Typically, these untranslated transcripts bind to cognate mRNAs and rapidly regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In this article, we review asRNAs that modulate bacterial fitness and increase virulence. We chose examples that underscore the variety observed in nature including, plasmid- and chromosome-encoded asRNAs, a riboswitch-regulated asRNA, and asRNAs that require other RNAs or RNA-binding proteins for stability and activity. We explore how asRNAs improve bacterial fitness and virulence by modulating plasmid acquisition and maintenance, regulating transposon mobility, increasing resistance against bacteriophages, controlling flagellar production, and regulating nutrient acquisition. We conclude with a brief discussion on how this knowledge is helping to inform current efforts to develop new therapeutics.

【 授权许可】

CC BY