Small regulatory RNAs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

RNA Biol. 2012 Apr;9(4):364-71. doi: 10.4161/rna.19231. Epub 2012 Feb 16.

Abstract

The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently associated with nosocomial infections, and can be life threatening in immunosuppressed, cancer and cystic fibrosis patients. Virulence in P. aeruginosa is combinatorial, and results from the activation of several genetic programs that regulate motility, attachment to the host epithelium as well as the synthesis of exotoxins. The pathogen has a high survival capacity in the host owing to its metabolic versatility, nutrient scavenging and resistance against both, antibiotics and immune defenses. Adaptive responses to various environmental stresses and stimuli are often regulated by small regulatory RNAs (sRNA). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the regulation and function of P. aeruginosa sRNAs that titrate regulatory proteins, base-pair with target mRNAs, and which are derived from CRISPR elements.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / pathogenicity
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / physiology*
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Bacterial / physiology
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / physiology
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Small Untranslated