Molecular basis of acceleration of base-pairing between sRNA and target mRNA by Hfq

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K07259
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Molecular biology
• Research Institution: Suzuka University of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: Morita Teppei 鈴鹿医療科学大学, 薬学部, 助教 (10444366)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: small RNA / Hfq / 転写終結 / ステムループ構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study clarified a role of the terminator stem-loop of small regulatory RNA (sRNA) in the production of sRNAs in E. coli. We also demonstrated the mechanism by which expression of hfq gene encoding Hfq is strictly auto-regulated by Hfq. A biological significance of the Hfq autoregulation is to prevent overexpression of Hfq, which is toxic to cell growth.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、sRNA生合成において、sRNA機能を生み出す転写終結の意義を明らかにした。近年、sRNAは細菌感染症やバイオフィルムといった人間社会に関わる細菌作用に重要な役割を持つことが次々に報告されている。そのため、本研究成果は、sRNA生合成の解明という学術的意義に加え、抗菌薬の開発のための基盤知見になる。