The Streptococcus mutans irvA gene encodes a trans-acting riboregulatory mRNA.

ABSTRACT: In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, insight into gene function is typically obtained by in silico homology searches and/or phenotypic analyses of strains bearing mutations within open reading frames. However, the studies herein illustrate how mRNA function is not limited to the expression of a cognate protein. We demonstrate that a stress-induced protein-encoding mRNA (irvA) from the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans directly modulates target mRNA (gbpC) stability through seed pairing interactions. The 5' untranslated region of irvA mRNA is a trans riboregulator of gbpC and a critical activator of the DDAG stress response, whereas IrvA functions independently in the regulation of natural competence. The irvA riboregulatory domain controls GbpC production by forming irvA-gbpC hybr

SUBMITTER: Liu N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5663275 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature