Expression of the ISPpu9 transposase of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is regulated by two small RNAs and the secondary structure of the mRNA 5'-untranslated region.

ABSTRACT: Insertion sequences (ISs) are mobile genetic elements that only carry the information required for their own transposition. Pseudomonas putida KT2440, a model bacterium, has seven copies of an IS called ISPpu9 inserted into repetitive extragenic palindromic sequences. This work shows that the gene for ISPpu9 transposase, tnp, is regulated by two small RNAs (sRNAs) named Asr9 and Ssr9, which are encoded upstream and downstream of tnp, respectively. The tnp mRNA has a long 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) that can fold into a secondary structure that likely includes the ribosome-binding site (RBS). Mutations weakening this structure increased tnp mRNA translation. Asr9, an antisense sRNA complementary to the 5'-UTR, was shown to be very stable. Eliminating Asr9 considerably reduced tnp mRNA t

SUBMITTER: Gomez-Garcia G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8450116 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature