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Kretz J, Börner J, Friedrich T, McIntosh M, Procida-Kowalski T, Gerken F, Wilhelm J, Klug G. Function of the RNA-targeting class 2 type VI CRISPR Cas system of Rhodobacter capsulatus. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1384543. [PMID: 38741736 PMCID: PMC11089165 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1384543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use CRISPR Cas systems to defend against invading foreign nucleic acids, e.g., phage genomes, plasmids or mobile genetic elements. Some CRISPR Cas systems were reported to have physiological importance under a variety of abiotic stress conditions. We used physiological tests under different stress conditions and RNA-seq analyses to address the possible function of the RNA-targeting class 2 type VI CRISPR Cas system of the facultative phototrophic α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. Expression of the system was low under exponential non-stress conditions and high during oxidative stress, membrane stress and in stationary phase. Induction of the CRISPR Cas system in presence of a target protospacer RNA resulted in a growth arrest of R. capsulatus. RNA-seq revealed a strong alteration of the R. capsulatus transcriptome when cas13a was induced in presence of a target protospacer. RNA 5' end mapping indicated that the CRISPR Cas-dependent transcriptome remodeling is accompanied by fragmentation of cellular RNAs, e.g., for mRNAs originating from a genomic locus which encodes multiple ribosomal proteins and the RNA polymerase subunits RpoA, RpoB and RpoC. The data suggest a function of this CRISPR Cas system in regulated growth arrest, which may prevent the spread of phages within the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kretz
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Janek Börner
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Friedrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
- Biomedical Informatics and Systems Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Matthew McIntosh
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Florian Gerken
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Institute for Lung Health, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Klug
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
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2
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Scheuer R, Kothe J, Wähling J, Evguenieva-Hackenberg E. Analysis of sRNAs and Their mRNA Targets in Sinorhizobium meliloti: Focus on Half-Life Determination. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2741:239-254. [PMID: 38217657 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3565-0_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression at the level of RNA and/or by regulatory RNA is an integral part of the regulatory circuits in all living cells. In bacteria, transcription and translation can be coupled, enabling regulation by transcriptional attenuation, a mechanism based on mutually exclusive structures in nascent mRNA. Transcriptional attenuation gives rise to small RNAs that are well suited to act in trans by either base pairing or ligand binding. Examples of 5'-UTR-derived sRNAs in the alpha-proteobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti are the sRNA rnTrpL of the tryptophan attenuator and SAM-II riboswitch sRNAs. Analyses addressing RNA-based gene regulation often include measurements of steady-state levels and of half-lives of specific sRNAs and mRNAs. Using such measurements, recently we have shown that the tryptophan attenuator responds to translation inhibition by tetracycline and that SAM-II riboswitches stabilize RNA. Here we discuss our experience in using alternative RNA purification methods for analysis of sRNA and mRNA of S. meliloti. Additionally, we show that other translational inhibitors (besides tetracycline) also cause attenuation giving rise to the rnTrpL sRNA. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of considering RNA stability changes under different conditions and describe in detail a robust and fast method for mRNA half-life determination. The latter includes rifampicin treatment, RNA isolation using commercially available columns, and mRNA analysis by reverse transcription followed by quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The latter can be performed as a one-step procedure or in a strand-specific manner using the same commercial kit and a spike-in transcript as a reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robina Scheuer
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kothe
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Wähling
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Börner J, Friedrich T, Klug G. RNase III participates in control of quorum sensing, pigmentation and oxidative stress resistance in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:874-892. [PMID: 37823424 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
RNase III is a dsRNA-specific endoribonuclease, highly conserved in bacteria and eukarya. In this study, we analysed the effects of inactivation of RNase III on the transcriptome and the phenotype of the facultative phototrophic α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. RNA-seq revealed an unexpectedly high amount of genes with increased expression located directly downstream to the rRNA operons. Chromosomal insertion of additional transcription terminators restored wild type-like expression of the downstream genes, indicating that RNase III may modulate the rRNA transcription termination in R. sphaeroides. Furthermore, we identified RNase III as a major regulator of quorum-sensing autoinducer synthesis in R. sphaeroides. It negatively controls the expression of the autoinducer synthase CerI by reducing cerI mRNA stability. In addition, RNase III inactivation caused altered resistance against oxidative stress and impaired formation of photosynthetically active pigment-protein complexes. We also observed an increase in the CcsR small RNAs that were previously shown to promote resistance to oxidative stress. Taken together, our data present interesting insights into RNase III-mediated regulation and expand the knowledge on the function of this important enzyme in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janek Börner
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Friedrich
- Biomedical Informatics and Systems Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Klug
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Wiegard JC, Damm K, Lechner M, Thölken C, Ngo S, Putzer H, Hartmann RK. Processing and decay of 6S-1 and 6S-2 RNAs in Bacillus subtilis. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:1481-1499. [PMID: 37369528 PMCID: PMC10578484 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079666.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Noncoding 6S RNAs regulate transcription by binding to the active site of bacterial RNA polymerase holoenzymes. Processing and decay of 6S-1 and 6S-2 RNA were investigated in Bacillus subtilis by northern blot and RNA-seq analyses using different RNase knockout strains, as well as by in vitro processing assays. For both 6S RNA paralogs, we identified a key-but mechanistically different-role of RNase J1. RNase J1 catalyzes 5'-end maturation of 6S-1 RNA, yet relatively inefficient and possibly via the enzyme's "sliding endonuclease" activity. 5'-end maturation has no detectable effect on 6S-1 RNA function, but rather regulates its decay: The generated 5'-monophosphate on matured 6S-1 RNA propels endonucleolytic cleavage in its apical loop region. The major 6S-2 RNA degradation pathway is initiated by endonucleolytic cleavage in the 5'-central bubble to trigger 5'-to-3'-exoribonucleolytic degradation of the downstream fragment by RNase J1. The four 3'-exonucleases of B. subtilis-RNase R, PNPase, YhaM, and particularly RNase PH-are involved in 3'-end trimming of both 6S RNAs, degradation of 6S-1 RNA fragments, and decay of abortive transcripts (so-called product RNAs, ∼14 nt in length) synthesized on 6S-1 RNA during outgrowth from stationary phase. In the case of the growth-retarded RNase Y deletion strain, we were unable to infer a specific role of RNase Y in 6S RNA decay. Yet, a participation of RNase Y in 6S RNA decay still remains possible, as evidence for such a function may have been obscured by overlapping substrate specificities of RNase Y, RNase J1, and RNase J2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Christin Wiegard
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Damm
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Lechner
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Bioinformatics Core Facility, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Clemens Thölken
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Bioinformatics Core Facility, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Saravuth Ngo
- Expression Génétique Microbienne, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Harald Putzer
- Expression Génétique Microbienne, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Roland K Hartmann
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
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Morales-Blancas GY, Reyna-Terán JD, Hernández-Eligio JA, Ortuño-Pineda C, Toribio-Jiménez J, Rodríguez-Barrera MÁ, Toledo-Hernández E, Rojas-Aparicio A, Romero-Ramírez Y. The catE gene of Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 is essential for growth in benzopyrene, and its expression is regulated by the Csr system. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:177. [PMID: 37115273 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03630-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Benzopyrene is a high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that is highly recalcitrant and induces carcinogenic effects. CsrA is a conserved regulatory protein that controls the translation and stability of its target transcripts, having negative or positive effects depending on the target mRNAs. It is known that Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 has the ability to grow and survive in certain concentrations of hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene, prompted in part by CsrA, as is present in gasoline. However, there are a few studies that reveal the genes involved in that process. To identify the genes involved in the Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 degradation pathway, the plasmid pCAT-sp containing a mutation in the catE gene was constructed and used to transform B. licheniformis M2-7 and generate a CAT1 strain. We determined the capacity of the mutant B. licheniformis (CAT1) to grow in the presence of glucose or benzopyrene as a carbon source. We observed that the CAT1 strain presented increased growth in the presence of glucose but a statistically considerable decrease in the presence of benzopyrene compared with the wild-type parental strain. Additionally, we demonstrated that the Csr system positively regulates its expression since it was observed that the expression of the gene in the mutant strain LYA12 (M2-7 csrA:: Sp, SpR) was considerably lower than that in the wild-type strain. We were thus able to propose a putative regulation model for catE gene in B. licheniformis M2-7 strain by CsrA regulator in the presence of benzopyrene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle Yamilet Morales-Blancas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - José Daniel Reyna-Terán
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - José Alberto Hernández-Eligio
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, C. P. 62210, México
| | - Carlos Ortuño-Pineda
- Laboratorio de Ácidos Nucleicos y Proteínas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, 16 México. Av. Lázaro Cárdenas. Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - Jeiry Toribio-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Barrera
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - Erubiel Toledo-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - Augusto Rojas-Aparicio
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México
| | - Yanet Romero-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología Ambiental, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico- Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas sin número, Ciudad Universitaria, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, C. P. 39070, México.
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6
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Gößringer M, Wäber NB, Wiegard JC, Hartmann RK. Characterization of RNA-based and protein-only RNases P from bacteria encoding both enzyme types. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:376-391. [PMID: 36604113 PMCID: PMC9945441 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079459.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A small group of bacteria encode two types of RNase P, the classical ribonucleoprotein (RNP) RNase P as well as the protein-only RNase P HARP (homolog of Aquifex RNase P). We characterized the dual RNase P activities of five bacteria that belong to three different phyla. All five bacterial species encode functional RNA (gene rnpB) and protein (gene rnpA) subunits of RNP RNase P, but only the HARP of the thermophile Thermodesulfatator indicus (phylum Thermodesulfobacteria) was found to have robust tRNA 5'-end maturation activity in vitro and in vivo in an Escherichia coli RNase P depletion strain. These findings suggest that both types of RNase P are able to contribute to the essential tRNA 5'-end maturation activity in T. indicus, thus resembling the predicted evolutionary transition state in the progenitor of the Aquificaceae before the loss of rnpA and rnpB genes in this family of bacteria. Remarkably, T. indicus RNase P RNA is transcribed with a P12 expansion segment that is posttranscriptionally excised in vivo, such that the major fraction of the RNA is fragmented and thereby truncated by ∼70 nt in the native T. indicus host as well as in the E. coli complementation strain. Replacing the native P12 element of T. indicus RNase P RNA with the short P12 helix of Thermotoga maritima RNase P RNA abolished fragmentation, but simultaneously impaired complementation efficiency in E. coli cells, suggesting that intracellular fragmentation and truncation of T. indicus RNase P RNA may be beneficial to RNA folding and/or enzymatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gößringer
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine B Wäber
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jana C Wiegard
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Roland K Hartmann
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
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7
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Involvement of E. coli 6S RNA in Oxidative Stress Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073653. [PMID: 35409013 PMCID: PMC8998176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
6S RNA, a small non-coding RNA present in almost all bacteria, inhibits transcription via direct binding to RNA polymerase holoenzymes. The mechanism of 6S RNA action was investigated to a large extent in E. coli, however, lack of 6S RNA (ΔssrS) was demonstrated to be unfavorable but not essential for cell survival under various growth conditions. In the present study, we revealed, for the first time, a lethal phenotype of the ΔssrS strain in the presence of high concentrations of H2O2. This phenotype was rescued by complementation of the ssrS gene on a plasmid. We performed comparative qRT-PCR analyses on an enlarged set of mRNAs of genes associated with the oxidative stress response, allowing us to identify four genes known to be involved in this pathway (soxS, ahpC, sodA and tpx) that had decreased mRNA levels in the ΔssrS strain. Finally, we performed comparative proteomic analyses of the wild-type and ΔssrS strains, confirming that ΔssrS bacteria have reduced levels of the proteins AhpC and Tpx involved in H2O2 reduction. Our findings substantiate the crucial role of the riboregulator 6S RNA for bacterial coping with extreme stresses.
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Scheuer R, Dietz T, Kretz J, Hadjeras L, McIntosh M, Evguenieva-Hackenberg E. Incoherent dual regulation by a SAM-II riboswitch controlling translation at a distance. RNA Biol 2022; 19:980-995. [PMID: 35950733 PMCID: PMC9373788 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2110380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Sinorhizobium meliloti, the methionine biosynthesis genes metA and metZ are preceded by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) riboswitches of the SAM-II class. Upon SAM binding, structural changes in the metZ riboswitch were predicted to cause transcriptional termination, generating the sRNA RZ. By contrast, the metA riboswitch was predicted to regulate translation from an AUG1 codon. However, downstream of the metA riboswitch, we found a putative Rho-independent terminator and an in-frame AUG2 codon, which may contribute to metA regulation. We validated the terminator between AUG1 and AUG2, which generates the sRNA RA1 that is processed to RA2. Under high SAM conditions, the activities of the metA and metZ promoters and the steady-state levels of the read-through metA and metZ mRNAs were decreased, while the levels of the RZ and RA2 sRNAs were increased. Under these conditions, the sRNAs and the mRNAs were stabilized. Reporter fusion experiments revealed that the Shine–Dalgarno (SD) sequence in the metA riboswitch is required for translation, which, however, starts 74 nucleotides downstream at AUG2, suggesting a novel translation initiation mechanism. Further, the reporter fusion data supported the following model of RNA-based regulation: Upon SAM binding by the riboswitch, the SD sequence is sequestered to downregulate metA translation, while the mRNA is stabilized. Thus, the SAM-II riboswitches fulfil incoherent, dual regulation, which probably serves to ensure basal metA and metZ mRNA levels under high SAM conditions. This probably helps to adapt to changing conditions and maintain SAM homoeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robina Scheuer
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Theresa Dietz
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jonas Kretz
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lydia Hadjeras
- Chair of Molecular Infection Biology II, Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthew McIntosh
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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9
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Eisenhardt KMH, Remes B, Grützner J, Spanka DT, Jäger A, Klug G. A Complex Network of Sigma Factors and sRNA StsR Regulates Stress Responses in R. sphaeroides. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147557. [PMID: 34299177 PMCID: PMC8307010 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of bacteria to a changing environment is often accompanied by remodeling of the transcriptome. In the facultative phototroph Rhodobacter sphaeroides the alternative sigma factors RpoE, RpoHI and RpoHII play an important role in a variety of stress responses, including heat, oxidative stress and nutrient limitation. Photooxidative stress caused by the simultaneous presence of chlorophylls, light and oxygen is a special challenge for phototrophic organisms. Like alternative sigma factors, several non-coding sRNAs have important roles in the defense against photooxidative stress. RNAseq-based transcriptome data pointed to an influence of the stationary phase-induced StsR sRNA on levels of mRNAs and sRNAs with a role in the photooxidative stress response. Furthermore, StsR also affects expression of photosynthesis genes and of genes for regulators of photosynthesis genes. In vivo and in vitro interaction studies revealed that StsR, that is under control of the RpoHI and RpoHII sigma factors, targets rpoE mRNA and affects its abundance by altering its stability. RpoE regulates expression of the rpoHII gene and, consequently, expression of stsR. These data provide new insights into a complex regulatory network of protein regulators and sRNAs involved in defense against photooxidative stress and the regulation of photosynthesis genes.
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Grützner J, Remes B, Eisenhardt KMH, Scheller D, Kretz J, Madhugiri R, McIntosh M, Klug G. sRNA-mediated RNA processing regulates bacterial cell division. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:7035-7052. [PMID: 34125915 PMCID: PMC8266604 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tight control of cell division is essential for survival of most organisms. For prokaryotes, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of cell division are mostly unknown. We show that the small non-coding sRNA StsR has an important role in controlling cell division and growth in the alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. StsR is strongly induced by stress conditions and in stationary phase by the alternative sigma factors RpoHI/HII, thereby providing a regulatory link between cell division and environmental cues. Compared to the wild type, a mutant lacking StsR enters stationary phase later and more rapidly resumes growth after stationary phase. A target of StsR is UpsM, the most abundant sRNA in the exponential phase. It is derived from partial transcriptional termination within the 5' untranslated region of the mRNA of the division and cell wall (dcw) gene cluster. StsR binds to UpsM as well as to the 5' UTR of the dcw mRNA and the sRNA-sRNA and sRNA-mRNA interactions lead to a conformational change that triggers cleavage by the ribonuclease RNase E, affecting the level of dcw mRNAs and limiting growth. These findings provide interesting new insights into the role of sRNA-mediated regulation of cell division during the adaptation to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Grützner
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Remes
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Katrin M H Eisenhardt
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniel Scheller
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jonas Kretz
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ramakanth Madhugiri
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Matthew McIntosh
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Klug
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
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11
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Grützner J, Billenkamp F, Spanka DT, Rick T, Monzon V, Förstner KU, Klug G. The small DUF1127 protein CcaF1 from Rhodobacter sphaeroides is an RNA-binding protein involved in sRNA maturation and RNA turnover. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:3003-3019. [PMID: 33706375 PMCID: PMC8034643 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many different protein domains are conserved among numerous species, but their function remains obscure. Proteins with DUF1127 domains number >17 000 in current databases, but a biological function has not yet been assigned to any of them. They are mostly found in alpha- and gammaproteobacteria, some of them plant and animal pathogens, symbionts or species used in industrial applications. Bioinformatic analyses revealed similarity of the DUF1127 domain of bacterial proteins to the RNA binding domain of eukaryotic Smaug proteins that are involved in RNA turnover and have a role in development from Drosophila to mammals. This study demonstrates that the 71 amino acid DUF1127 protein CcaF1 from the alphaproteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides participates in maturation of the CcsR sRNAs that are processed from the 3' UTR of the ccaF mRNA and have a role in the oxidative stress defense. CcaF1 binds to many cellular RNAs of different type, several mRNAs with a function in cysteine / methionine / sulfur metabolism. It affects the stability of the CcsR RNAs and other non-coding RNAs and mRNAs. Thus, the widely distributed DUF1127 domain can mediate RNA-binding, affect stability of its binding partners and consequently modulate the bacterial transcriptome, thereby influencing different physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Grützner
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, D-35292 Giessen, Germany
| | - Fabian Billenkamp
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, D-35292 Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Bundesalle 37, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daniel-Timon Spanka
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, D-35292 Giessen, Germany
| | - Tim Rick
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, D-35292 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Konrad U Förstner
- ZB MED-Information Center of Life Science, Germany
- Institute of Information Science, TH Köln, University of Applied Science, Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 54, D-50968 Köln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gabriele Klug
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, D-35292 Giessen, Germany
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12
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Sugiura H, Nagase A, Oiki S, Mikami B, Watanabe D, Hashimoto W. Bacterial inducible expression of plant cell wall-binding protein YesO through conflict between Glycine max and saprophytic Bacillus subtilis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18691. [PMID: 33122638 PMCID: PMC7596534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75359-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Saprophytic bacteria and plants compete for limited nutrient sources. Bacillus subtilis grows well on steamed soybeans Glycine max to produce the fermented food, natto. Here we focus on bacterial responses in conflict between B. subtilis and G. max. B. subtilis cells maintained high growth rates specifically on non-germinating, dead soybean seeds. On the other hand, viable soybean seeds with germinating capability attenuated the initial growth of B. subtilis. Thus, B. subtilis cells may trigger saprophytic growth in response to the physiological status of G. max. Scanning electron microscope observation indicated that B. subtilis cells on steamed soybeans undergo morphological changes to form apertures, demonstrating cell remodeling during saprophytic growth. Further, transcriptomic analysis of B. subtilis revealed upregulation of the gene cluster, yesOPQR, in colonies growing on steamed soybeans. Recombinant YesO protein, a putative, solute-binding protein for the ATP-binding cassette transporter system, exhibited an affinity for pectin-derived oligosaccharide from plant cell wall. The crystal structure of YesO, in complex with the pectin oligosaccharide, was determined at 1.58 Å resolution. This study expands our knowledge of defensive and offensive strategies in interspecies competition, which may be promising targets for crop protection and fermented food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Sugiura
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Molecular Biotechnology, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Ayumi Nagase
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Molecular Biotechnology, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Sayoko Oiki
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Molecular Biotechnology, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Bunzo Mikami
- Laboratory of Applied Structural Biology, Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Daisuke Watanabe
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Molecular Biotechnology, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Wataru Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Molecular Biotechnology, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan.
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13
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Thüring M, Ganapathy S, Schlüter MAC, Lechner M, Hartmann RK. 6S-2 RNA deletion in the undomesticated B. subtilis strain NCIB 3610 causes a biofilm derepression phenotype. RNA Biol 2020; 18:79-92. [PMID: 32862759 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1795408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial 6S RNA regulates transcription via binding to the active site of RNA polymerase holoenzymes. 6S RNA has been identified in the majority of bacteria, in most cases encoded by a single gene. Firmicutes including Bacillus subtilis encode two 6S RNA paralogs, 6S-1 and 6S-2 RNA. Hypothesizing that the regulatory role of 6S RNAs may be particularly important under natural, constantly changing environmental conditions, we constructed 6S RNA deletion mutants of the undomesticated B. subtilis wild-type strain NCIB 3610. We observed a strong phenotype for the ∆6S-2 RNA strain that showed increased biofilm formation on solid media and the ability to form surface-attached biofilms in liquid culture. This phenotype remained undetected in derived laboratory strains (168, PY79) that are defective in biofilm formation. Quantitative RT-PCR data revealed transcriptional upregulation of biofilm marker genes such as tasA, epsA and bslA in the ∆6S-2 RNA strain, particularly during transition from exponential to stationary growth phase. Salt stress, which blocks sporulation at a very early stage, was found to override the derepressed biofilm phenotype of the ∆6S-2 RNA strain. Furthermore, the ∆6S-2 RNA strain showed retarded swarming activity and earlier spore formation. Finally, the ∆6S-1&2 RNA double deletion strain showed a prolonged lag phase of growth under oxidative, high salt and alkaline stress conditions, suggesting that the interplay of both 6S RNAs in B. subtilis optimizes and fine-tunes transcriptomic adaptations, thereby contributing to the fitness of B. subtilis under the unsteady and temporarily harsh conditions encountered in natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marietta Thüring
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg , Marburg, Germany
| | - Sweetha Ganapathy
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg , Marburg, Germany
| | - M Amri C Schlüter
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg , Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Lechner
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Bioinformatics Core Facility , Marburg, Germany
| | - Roland K Hartmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg , Marburg, Germany
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14
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Eisenhardt KMH, Reuscher CM, Klug G. PcrX, an sRNA derived from the 3'- UTR of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides puf operon modulates expression of puf genes encoding proteins of the bacterial photosynthetic apparatus. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:325-334. [PMID: 29995316 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Facultative phototrophic bacteria like Rhodobacter sphaeroides can produce ATP by anoxygenic photosynthesis, which is of advantage under conditions with limiting oxygen. However, the simultaneous presence of pigments, light and oxygen leads to the generation of harmful singlet oxygen. In order to avoid this stress situation, the formation of photosynthetic complexes is tightly regulated by light and oxygen signals. In a complex regulatory network several regulatory proteins and the small non-coding RNA PcrZ contribute to the balanced expression of photosynthesis genes. With PcrX this study identifies a second sRNA that is part of this network. The puf operon encodes pigment binding proteins of the light-harvesting I complex (PufBA) and of the reaction center (PufLM), a protein regulating porphyrin flux (PufQ), and a scaffolding protein (PufX). The PcrX sRNA is derived from the 3' UTR of the puf operon mRNA by RNase E-mediated cleavage. It targets the pufX mRNA segment, reduces the half-life of the pufBALMX mRNA and as a consequence affects the level of photosynthetic complexes. By its action PcrX counteracts the increased expression of photosynthesis genes that is mediated by protein regulators and is thus involved in balancing the formation of photosynthetic complexes in response to external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin M H Eisenhardt
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus Liebig Universität Giessen, IFZ, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carina M Reuscher
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus Liebig Universität Giessen, IFZ, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Klug
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus Liebig Universität Giessen, IFZ, Giessen, Germany
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15
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Sanders R, Bustin S, Huggett J, Mason D. Improving the standardization of mRNA measurement by RT-qPCR. BIOMOLECULAR DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION 2018; 15:13-17. [PMID: 29922589 PMCID: PMC6006386 DOI: 10.1016/j.bdq.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Human health and safety depend on reliable measurements in medical diagnosis and on tests that support the selection and evaluation of therapeutic intervention and newly discovered molecular biomarkers must pass a rigorous evaluation process if they are to be of benefit to patients. Measurement standardization helps to maximize data quality and confidence and ultimately improves the reproducibility of published research. Failure to consider how a given experiment may be standardized can be costly, both financially as well as in time and failure to perform and report pre-clinical research in an appropriately rigorous manner will hinder the development of diagnostic methods. Hence standardization is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of scientific studies and is a key feature of robust investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Sanders
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Science and Innovation, LGC, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LY, UK
| | - Stephen Bustin
- Faculty of Medical Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Michael Salmon Building, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Jim Huggett
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Science and Innovation, LGC, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LY, UK
| | - Deborah Mason
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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16
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Villa-Rodríguez E, Ibarra-Gámez C, de Los Santos-Villalobos S. Extraction of high-quality RNA from Bacillus subtilis with a lysozyme pre-treatment followed by the Trizol method. J Microbiol Methods 2018; 147:14-16. [PMID: 29474841 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A suitable technique (lysozyme combined with Trizol reagent) was developed to improve the RNA yield, purity and integrity from Bacillus subtilis, under different bacterial growth stages. The obtained RNA was intact, having the required characteristics for downstream applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eber Villa-Rodríguez
- Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero 818 Sur, C.P.85000, Col. Centro, Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Cuauhtemoc Ibarra-Gámez
- Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero 818 Sur, C.P.85000, Col. Centro, Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico
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17
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Gößringer M, Lechner M, Brillante N, Weber C, Rossmanith W, Hartmann RK. Protein-only RNase P function in Escherichia coli: viability, processing defects and differences between PRORP isoenzymes. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:7441-7454. [PMID: 28499021 PMCID: PMC5499578 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNase P family comprises structurally diverse endoribonucleases ranging from complex ribonucleoproteins to single polypeptides. We show that the organellar (AtPRORP1) and the two nuclear (AtPRORP2,3) single-polypeptide RNase P isoenzymes from Arabidopsis thaliana confer viability to Escherichia coli cells with a lethal knockdown of its endogenous RNA-based RNase P. RNA-Seq revealed that AtPRORP1, compared with bacterial RNase P or AtPRORP3, cleaves several precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs) aberrantly in E. coli. Aberrant cleavage by AtPRORP1 was mainly observed for pre-tRNAs that can form short acceptor-stem extensions involving G:C base pairs, including tRNAAsp(GUC), tRNASer(CGA) and tRNAHis. However, both AtPRORP1 and 3 were defective in processing of E. coli pre-tRNASec carrying an acceptor stem expanded by three G:C base pairs. Instead, pre-tRNASec was degraded, suggesting that tRNASec is dispensable for E. coli under laboratory conditions. AtPRORP1, 2 and 3 are also essentially unable to process the primary transcript of 4.5S RNA, a hairpin-like non-tRNA substrate processed by E. coli RNase P, indicating that PRORP enzymes have a narrower, more tRNA-centric substrate spectrum than bacterial RNA-based RNase P enzymes. The cells' viability also suggests that the essential function of the signal recognition particle can be maintained with a 5΄-extended 4.5S RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gößringer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Lechner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadia Brillante
- Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Weber
- Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Rossmanith
- Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Roland K Hartmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35037 Marburg, Germany
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18
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Hu R, Wang G, Yuan R, Xu Y, Yu T, Zhong L, Zhou Q, Ding S. An electrochemical biosensor for highly sensitive detection of microRNA-377 based on strand displacement amplification coupled with three-way junction. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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19
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Müller KMH, Berghoff BA, Eisenhardt BD, Remes B, Klug G. Characteristics of Pos19 - A Small Coding RNA in the Oxidative Stress Response of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163425. [PMID: 27669425 PMCID: PMC5036791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides induces several small RNAs (sRNAs) when singlet oxygen (1O2) levels are elevated, a situation also referred to as photo-oxidative stress. An RNA-seq study identified the RSs0019 sRNA, which is renamed Pos19 (photo-oxidative stress induced sRNA 19). Pos19 is part of the RpoE regulon and consequently induced upon 1O2 and peroxide stress. The 219 nt long Pos19 transcript contains a small open reading frame (sORF) of 150 nt, which is translated in vivo. Over-expression of Pos19 results in reduced mRNA levels for several genes, of which numerous are involved in sulfur metabolism. The negative effect on the potential targets is maintained even when translation of the sORF is abolished, arguing that regulation is entailed by the sRNA itself. Reporter studies further revealed that regulation of the most affected mRNA, namely RSP_0557, by Pos19 is Hfq-dependent. Direct binding of Pos19 to Hfq was shown by co-immunoprecipitation. Physiological experiments indicated Pos19 to be involved in the balance of glutathione biosynthesis. Moreover, a lack of Pos19 leads to elevated reactive oxygen species levels. Taken together our data identify the sRNA Pos19 as a coding sRNA with a distinct expression pattern and potential role under oxidative stress in the phototrophic bacterium R. sphaeroides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin M. H. Müller
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bork A. Berghoff
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Benjamin D. Eisenhardt
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Remes
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Klug
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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20
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Hoch PG, Schlereth J, Lechner M, Hartmann RK. Bacillus subtilis 6S-2 RNA serves as a template for short transcripts in vivo. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:614-622. [PMID: 26873600 PMCID: PMC4793215 DOI: 10.1261/rna.055616.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The global transcriptional regulator 6S RNA is abundant in a broad range of bacteria. The RNA competes with DNA promoters for binding to the housekeeping RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme. When bound to RNAP, 6S RNA serves as a transcription template for RNAP in an RNA-dependent RNA polymerization reaction. The resulting short RNA transcripts (so-called product RNAs = pRNAs) can induce a stable structural rearrangement of 6S RNA when reaching a certain length. This rearrangement leads to the release of RNAP and thus the recovery of transcription at DNA promoters. While most bacteria express a single 6S RNA, some harbor a second 6S RNA homolog (termed 6S-2 RNA in Bacillus subtilis). Bacillus subtilis 6S-2 RNA was recently shown to exhibit essentially all hallmark features of a bona fide 6S RNA in vitro, but evidence for the synthesis of 6S-2 RNA-derived pRNAs in vivo has been lacking so far. This raised the question of whether the block of RNAP by 6S-2 RNA might be lifted by a mechanism other than pRNA synthesis. However, here we demonstrate that 6S-2 RNA is able to serve as a template for pRNA synthesis in vivo. We verify this finding by using three independent approaches including a novel primer extension assay. Thus, we demonstrate the first example of an organism that expresses two distinct 6S RNAs that both exhibit all mechanistic features defined for this type of regulatory RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp G Hoch
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia Schlereth
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Lechner
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Roland K Hartmann
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
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