Extensive diversity in RNA termination and regulation revealed by transcriptome mapping for the Lyme pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi.

ABSTRACT: Transcription termination is an essential and dynamic process that can tune gene expression in response to diverse molecular signals. Yet, the genomic positions, molecular mechanisms, and regulatory consequences of termination have only been studied thoroughly in model bacteria. Here, we use several RNA-seq approaches to map RNA ends for the transcriptome of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi - the etiological agent of Lyme disease. We identify complex gene arrangements and operons, untranslated regions and small RNAs. We predict intrinsic terminators and experimentally test examples of Rho-dependent transcription termination. Remarkably, 63% of RNA 3' ends map upstream of or internal to open reading frames (ORFs), including genes involved in the unique infectious cycle of B. burgdorferi.

SUBMITTER: Petroni E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10319736 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature