RsaOG, a new staphylococcal family of highly transcribed non-coding RNA

RNA Biol. 2010 Mar-Apr;7(2):116-9. doi: 10.4161/rna.7.2.10925. Epub 2010 Mar 9.

Abstract

The expression of trans-acting small RNAs in firmicutes has been poorly documented to date. This gap is being filled quickly in the genus Staphylococcus, which is both a model firmicute and an important human pathogen. Here we analyze RsaOG, a novel small RNA family specific to Staphylococcus and highly transcribed. This well conserved element, first discovered in a computational screen, was precisely mapped in the genome by RACE mapping and the identification of a putative transcriptional promoter. The proposed secondary structure presents two highly conserved unpaired sequences, part of which can form a pseudoknot. We suggest a possible involvement of the remaining conserved single stranded region in trans regulatory interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • RNA, Untranslated / chemistry
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Untranslated