Regulatory RNA Ern0160 controls Enterococcus faecium virulence through direct modulation of expression of LysM domain-containing proteins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Enterococcus faecium is a commensal of the human gut microbiota that can become an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Small RNAs (sRNA) are thought to contribute to this shift by enabling rapid bacterial adaptation to environmental changes. Despite this, knowledge of sRNA in E. faecium remains limited. Ern0160, in particular, has attracted interest for its involvement in antibiotic and biocide responses, as well as its role in intestinal colonization in a murine model.

Results

In this study, we investigated the functions of Ern0160 in E. faecium Aus0004 reference strain and sought to identify its mRNA targets. Transcriptomic and in silico analyses revealed potential regulatory targets, including two homologous genes encoding Lys

SUBMITTER: Dejoies L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12870237 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature