Regulation of bacterial metabolism by small RNAs using diverse mechanisms

Annu Rev Genet. 2013:47:209-32. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genet-111212-133445. Epub 2013 Aug 30.

Abstract

Bacteria live in many dynamic environments with alternating cycles of feast or famine that have resulted in the evolution of mechanisms to quickly alter their metabolic capabilities. Such alterations often involve complex regulatory networks that modulate expression of genes involved in nutrient uptake and metabolism. A great number of protein regulators of metabolism have been characterized in depth. However, our ever-increasing understanding of the roles played by RNA regulators has revealed far greater complexity to regulation of metabolism in bacteria. Here, we review the mechanisms and functions of selected bacterial RNA regulators and discuss their importance in modulating nutrient uptake as well as primary and secondary metabolic pathways.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Sugars / metabolism
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Carbon / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Catabolite Repression / physiology
  • Forecasting
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glycolysis
  • Host Factor 1 Protein / physiology
  • RNA, Antisense / physiology
  • RNA, Bacterial / classification
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Riboswitch
  • Secondary Metabolism / physiology

Substances

  • Amino Sugars
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Host Factor 1 Protein
  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Riboswitch
  • Carbon
  • Glucose