The RNA-binding protein Hfq assembles into foci-like structures in nitrogen starved <i>Escherichia coli</i>.

ABSTRACT: The initial adaptive responses to nutrient depletion in bacteria often occur at the level of gene expression. Hfq is an RNA-binding protein present in diverse bacterial lineages that contributes to many different aspects of RNA metabolism during gene expression. Using photoactivated localization microscopy and single-molecule tracking, we demonstrate that Hfq forms a distinct and reversible focus-like structure in Escherichia coli specifically experiencing long-term nitrogen starvation. Using the ability of T7 phage to replicate in nitrogen-starved bacteria as a biological probe of E. coli cell function during nitrogen starvation, we demonstrate that Hfq foci have a role in the adaptive response of E. coli to long-term nitrogen starvation. We further show that Hfq foci

SUBMITTER: McQuail J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7458820 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature