Emerging functions for the Staphylococcus aureus RNome

PLoS Pathog. 2013;9(12):e1003767. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003767. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading pathogen for animals and humans, not only being one of the most frequently isolated bacteria in hospital-associated infections but also causing diseases in the community. To coordinate the expression of its numerous virulence genes for growth and survival, S. aureus uses various signalling pathways that include two-component regulatory systems, transcription factors, and also around 250 regulatory RNAs. Biological roles have only been determined for a handful of these sRNAs, including cis, trans, and cis-trans acting RNAs, some internally encoding small, functional peptides and others possessing dual or multiple functions. Here we put forward an inventory of these fascinating sRNAs; the proteins involved in their activities; and those involved in stress response, metabolisms, and virulence.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics
  • Humans
  • RNA, Antisense / physiology
  • RNA, Bacterial / physiology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / physiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / genetics
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics
  • Transcriptome / physiology*

Substances

  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Small Interfering

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM; BF) and by the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (ANR-09-MIEN-030; BF). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.