Quantifying the sequence-function relation in gene silencing by bacterial small RNAs.

ABSTRACT: Sequence-function relations for small RNA (sRNA)-mediated gene silencing were quantified for the sRNA RyhB and some of its mRNA targets in Escherichia coli. Numerous mutants of RyhB and its targets were generated and their in vivo functions characterized at various levels of target and RyhB expression. Although a core complementary region is required for repression by RyhB, variations in the complementary sequences of the core region gave rise to a continuum of repression strengths, correlated exponentially with the computed free energy of RyhB-target duplex formation. Moreover, sequence variations in the linker region known to interact with the RNA chaperone Hfq also gave rise to a continuum of repression strengths, correlated exponentially with the computed energy cost of keeping the lin

SUBMITTER: Hao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3145688 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature