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

  • Hong-Leong Cheah
  • , Carsten A. Raabe
  • , Li-Pin Lee
  • , Timofey S. Rozhdestvensky
  • , Marimuthu Citartan
  • , Siti Aminah Ahmed
  • , Thean-Hock Tang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-355
Number of pages21
JournalCritical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Volume53
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

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

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