Bacterial regulatory RNAs: complexity, function, and putative drug targeting

Abstract

Over the past decade, RNA-deep sequencing has uncovered copious non-protein coding RNAs (npcRNAs) in bacteria. Many of them are key players in the regulation of gene expression, taking part in various regulatory circuits, such as metabolic responses to different environmental stresses, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and host-pathogen interactions. This has contributed to the high adaptability of bacteria to changing or even hostile environments. Their mechanisms include the regulation of transcriptional termination, modulation of translation, and alteration of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability, as well as protein sequestration. Here, the mechanisms of gene expression by regulatory bacterial npcRNAs are comprehensively reviewed and supplemented with well-characterized examples. This class of molecules and their mechanisms of action might be useful targets for the development of novel antibiotics.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Bacterial non-protein coding RNAs
• cis- and trans-antisense transcription
• regulation of gene expression

Acknowledgments

Carsten A. Raabe is member of the phi Club of the Münster Alliance for Infection Research. We would like to thank Jürgen Brosius and Dr. Ch’ng Ewe Seng for comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

THT was supported by the Research University Grant for Individual [RUI, Grant No.: 1001/CIPPT/811319], Fundamental Research Grant Scheme [FRGS, Grant No.: 203/CIPPT/6711510], Trans-Disciplinary Research Grant Scheme [TRGS, Grant No.: 203/CIPPT/6769003], and Long Term Research Grant Scheme [LRGS, Grant No.: 600-IRMI/LRGS 5/3 (0003/2016)]. SAA was supported by eScience Fund [Grant No.: 305/CIPPT/613237] and The Short-Term Research Grants (Grant No.: 304/CIPPT/6313232). LPL was supported by the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI) Student Research Fund and the Ministry of Education through the Graduate Research Assistant Scheme and the MyPhD scholarship, respectively. CAR was supported by internal funds of the University of Münster and the Brandenburg Medical School (MHB).