The AfaR small RNA controls expression of the AfaD-VIII invasin in pathogenic Escherichia coli strains.

ABSTRACT: Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains carrying the afa-8 gene cluster are frequently associated with extra-intestinal infections in humans and animals. The afa-8 A to E genes determine the formation of an afimbrial adhesive sheath consisting of the AfaD-VIII invasin and the AfaE-VIII adhesin at the bacterial cell surface. This structure is thought to be required for host colonization. We characterized a new gene encoding the small RNA AfaR, which is transcribed in cis from the complementary strand of the 3' untranslated region of the afaD messenger RNA, within the afaD-afaE intercistronic region. AfaR is a trans-acting Hfq-dependent antisense small RNA that binds the 5' untranslated region of the afaD messenger RNA, initiating several ribonuclease E-dependent cleavages, thereby downregulatin

SUBMITTER: Pichon C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3664800 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature