Novel small RNA-encoding genes in the intergenic regions of Escherichia coli.
Curr Biol
; 11(12): 941-50, 2001 Jun 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11448770
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Small, untranslated RNA molecules were identified initially in bacteria, but examples can be found in all kingdoms of life. These RNAs carry out diverse functions, and many of them are regulators of gene expression. Genes encoding small, untranslated RNAs are difficult to detect experimentally or to predict by traditional sequence analysis approaches. Thus, in spite of the rising recognition that such RNAs may play key roles in bacterial physiology, many of the small RNAs known to date were discovered fortuitously.RESULTS:
To search the Escherichia coli genome sequence for genes encoding small RNAs, we developed a computational strategy employing transcription signals and genomic features of the known small RNA-encoding genes. The search, for which we used rather restrictive criteria, has led to the prediction of 24 putative sRNA-encoding genes, of which 23 were tested experimentally. Here we report on the discovery of 14 genes encoding novel small RNAs in E. coli and their expression patterns under a variety of physiological conditions. Most of the newly discovered RNAs are abundant. Interestingly, the expression level of a significant number of these RNAs increases upon entry into stationary phase.CONCLUSIONS:
Based on our results, we conclude that small RNAs are much more widespread than previously imagined and that these versatile molecules may play important roles in the fine-tuning of cell responses to changing environments.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transcrição Gênica
/
DNA Intergênico
/
RNA não Traduzido
/
Escherichia coli
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Curr Biol
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2001
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Israel