The type 6 secretion system immunity protein RhsFI has been repurposed for small RNA regulation in pathogenic Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play key roles in regulating virulence gene expression in pathogenic enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). To capture the RNA-binding proteome in EHEC, total RNA-associated protein purification (TRAPP) was employed and identified 443 RNA-associated proteins. These included 35 encoded within pathogenicity islands, with RNA-binding confirmed in vitro for four, including RhsFI. In vivo RNA targets for RhsFI included regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) encoded in 3' UTRs. The rhsF-rhsFI locus encodes toxic effector and immunity proteins of the type 6 secretion system (T6SS). T6SS expression is repressed in EHEC, but internal transcription initiation generates a transcript encoding a truncated toxin (RhsFint) and downstream RhsFI. RhsFint has structural homology to n

SUBMITTER: Zammit T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7618764 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature