Project description:Small non coding RNA molecules (sncRNAs) are key mediators of virulence and stress inducible gene expressions in some pathogens. In this work we identify sncRNAs in the Gram positive opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis. Enterococcus faecalis. We characterized 11 sncRNAs by tiling microarray analysis, 5’ and 3’ RACE-PCR, and Northern blot analysis. Six sncRNAs were specifically expressed at exponential phase, two sncRNAs were observed at stationary phase, and three were detected during both phases. This is the first experimental genome-wide identification of sncRNAs in E. faecalis and provides impetus to the understanding of gene regulation in this important human pathogen.
Project description:Gene content in various Enterococcus faecalis strains compared to E. faecalis V583. Strains have been compared to the V583 strain by comparative genomic hybridization using genome-wide PCR-based microarrays representing the V583 genome. Genes have been deemed "present" or "divergent" in the various strains.