Mahendran G, Jayasinghe OT, Thavakumaran D, Arachchilage GM, Silva GN. Key players in regulatory RNA realm of bacteria.
Biochem Biophys Rep 2022;
30:101276. [PMID:
35592614 PMCID:
PMC9111926 DOI:
10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101276]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise regulation of gene expression is crucial for living cells to adapt for survival in diverse environmental conditions. Among the common cellular regulatory mechanisms, RNA-based regulators play a key role in all domains of life. Discovery of regulatory RNAs have made a paradigm shift in molecular biology as many regulatory functions of RNA have been identified beyond its canonical roles as messenger, ribosomal and transfer RNA. In the complex regulatory RNA network, riboswitches, small RNAs, and RNA thermometers can be identified as some of the key players. Herein, we review the discovery, mechanism, and potential therapeutic use of these classes of regulatory RNAs mainly found in bacteria. Being highly adaptive organisms that inhabit a broad range of ecological niches, bacteria have adopted tight and rapid-responding gene regulation mechanisms. This review aims to highlight how bacteria utilize versatile RNA structures and sequences to build a sophisticated gene regulation network.
The three major classes of prokaryotic ncRNAs and their characterized mechanisms of operation in gene regulation.
sRNAs emerging as major players in global gene regulatory networks.
Riboswitch mediated gene control mechanisms through on/off switches in response to ligand binding.
RNA thermo sensors for temperature-dependent gene expression.
Therapeutic importance of ncRNAs and computational approaches involved in the discovery of ncRNAs.
Collapse