Small regulatory RNAs from low-GC Gram-positive bacteria

Abstract

Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) that act by base-pairing were first discovered in so-called accessory DNA elements—plasmids, phages, and transposons—where they control replication, maintenance, and transposition. Since 2001, a huge body of work has been performed to predict and identify sRNAs in a multitude of bacterial genomes. The majority of chromosome-encoded sRNAs have been investigated in E. coli and other Gram-negative bacteria. However, during the past five years an increasing number of sRNAs were found in Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we outline our current knowledge on chromosome-encoded sRNAs from low-GC Gram-positive species that act by base-pairing, i.e., an antisense mechanism. We will focus on sRNAs with known targets and defined regulatory mechanisms with special emphasis on Bacillus subtilis.

Keywords: :

• small regulatory RNA
• base-pairing sRNA
• low GC Gram-positive bacteria
• Bacillus subtilis
• Streptococcus pneumoniae

10.4161/rna.28036

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants BR1552/6-1 to 6-3 and by grants BR1552/7-1 and 7-2 of the priority program SPP1258 from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to Brantl S and BR974/5-1 of SPP1258 to Brückner R.