MicX sRNA
Encyclopedia
MicX sRNA is a small non-coding RNA
found in Vibrio cholerae
. It was given the name MicX as it has a similar function to MicA, MicC and MicF in E. coli. MicX sRNA negatively regulates
an outer membrane protein
(coded for by VC0972) and also a component of an ABC transporter (gene VC0620). These interactions were predicted and then confirmed using a DNA microarray
.
MicX was identified through a bioinformatics screen
of V. cholerae having been previously predicted. Levels of transcription
of this sRNA were compared under several conditions: it was found to be expressed on all tested mediums
; richer mediums slightly reduced transcription; repression
of certain sigma factor
s (δS and δE) did not change transcription but it was dramatically reduced in the absence of Hfq protein
. This observation is in accordance with other sRNA expression patterns.
The MicX RNA gene overlaps with VCA0943 - a gene coding for a maltose
transporter permease - but the ribonuclease
RNAase E processes the MicX transcript to create an active and stable form containing only the VCA0943 3' UTR.
Non-coding RNA
A non-coding RNA is a functional RNA molecule that is not translated into a protein. Less-frequently used synonyms are non-protein-coding RNA , non-messenger RNA and functional RNA . The term small RNA is often used for short bacterial ncRNAs...
found in Vibrio cholerae
Vibrio cholerae
Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium. Some strains of V. cholerae cause the disease cholera. V. cholerae is facultatively anaerobic and has a flagella at one cell pole. V...
. It was given the name MicX as it has a similar function to MicA, MicC and MicF in E. coli. MicX sRNA negatively regulates
Regulation of gene expression
Gene modulation redirects here. For information on therapeutic regulation of gene expression, see therapeutic gene modulation.Regulation of gene expression includes the processes that cells and viruses use to regulate the way that the information in genes is turned into gene products...
an outer membrane protein
Membrane protein
A membrane protein is a protein molecule that is attached to, or associated with the membrane of a cell or an organelle. More than half of all proteins interact with membranes.-Function:...
(coded for by VC0972) and also a component of an ABC transporter (gene VC0620). These interactions were predicted and then confirmed using a DNA microarray
DNA microarray
A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome...
.
MicX was identified through a bioinformatics screen
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
of V. cholerae having been previously predicted. Levels of transcription
Transcription (genetics)
Transcription is the process of creating a complementary RNA copy of a sequence of DNA. Both RNA and DNA are nucleic acids, which use base pairs of nucleotides as a complementary language that can be converted back and forth from DNA to RNA by the action of the correct enzymes...
of this sRNA were compared under several conditions: it was found to be expressed on all tested mediums
Growth medium
A growth medium or culture medium is a liquid or gel designed to support the growth of microorganisms or cells, or small plants like the moss Physcomitrella patens.There are different types of media for growing different types of cells....
; richer mediums slightly reduced transcription; repression
Repressor
In molecular genetics, a repressor is a DNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of one or more genes by binding to the operator and blocking the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter, thus preventing transcription of the genes. This blocking of expression is called...
of certain sigma factor
Sigma factor
A sigma factor is a bacterial transcription initiation factor that enables specific binding of RNA polymerase to gene promoters. Different sigma factors are activated in response to different environmental conditions...
s (δS and δE) did not change transcription but it was dramatically reduced in the absence of Hfq protein
Hfq protein
The Hfq protein encoded by the hfq gene was discovered in 1968 as an Escherichia. coli host factor that was essential for replication of the bacteriophage Qβ. It is now clear that Hfq is an abundant bacterial RNA binding protein which has many important physiological roles. Usually mediated by...
. This observation is in accordance with other sRNA expression patterns.
The MicX RNA gene overlaps with VCA0943 - a gene coding for a maltose
Maltose
Maltose , or malt sugar, is a disaccharide formed from two units of glucose joined with an αbond, formed from a condensation reaction. The isomer "isomaltose" has two glucose molecules linked through an α bond. Maltose is the second member of an important biochemical series of glucose chains....
transporter permease - but the ribonuclease
Ribonuclease
Ribonuclease is a type of nuclease that catalyzes the degradation of RNA into smaller components. Ribonucleases can be divided into endoribonucleases and exoribonucleases, and comprise several sub-classes within the EC 2.7 and 3.1 classes of enzymes.-Function:All organisms studied contain...
RNAase E processes the MicX transcript to create an active and stable form containing only the VCA0943 3' UTR.