6S-2 RNA deletion in the undomesticated B. subtilis strain NCIB 3610 causes a biofilm derepression phenotype.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial 6S RNA regulates transcription via binding to the active site of RNA polymerase holoenzymes. 6S RNA has been identified in the majority of bacteria, in most cases encoded by a single gene. Firmicutes including Bacillus subtilis encode two 6S RNA paralogs, 6S-1 and 6S-2 RNA. Hypothesizing that the regulatory role of 6S RNAs may be particularly important under natural, constantly changing environmental conditions, we constructed 6S RNA deletion mutants of the undomesticated B. subtilis wild-type strain NCIB 3610. We observed a strong phenotype for the ∆6S-2 RNA strain that showed increased biofilm formation on solid media and the ability to form surface-attached biofilms in liquid culture. This phenotype remained undetected in derived laboratory strains (168, PY79) th

SUBMITTER: Thuring M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7834083 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature