RivX sRNA
Encyclopedia
RivX sRNA is a non-coding RNA
molecule involved in the interface between two key regulators of virulence in the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes
(Group A Streptoccus
, also known as GAS): the CovR/S system and Mga
regulator. This RNA, along with its downstream protein-coding gene
RivR, are the first discovered links between these two important regulation networks. An extra protein linking the two pathways, TrxR, was described a year later. The adjoining of these two pathways could allow a consistently high virulence
of S. pyogenes despite a variety of environmental conditions.
RivX is thought to be co-transcribed with RivR mRNA
before post-transcriptional processing releases the sRNA. It was found to be a non-coding transcript through site-directed mutagenesis
experimentation.
In total, the GAS genome is now predicted to encode 75 total sRNAs, a number approximately equal to the number of transcription factors encoded by the genome, which shows the importance of RNA regulation in GAS.
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...
molecule involved in the interface between two key regulators of virulence in the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenes is a spherical, Gram-positive bacterium that is the cause of group A streptococcal infections. S. pyogenes displays streptococcal group A antigen on its cell wall. S...
(Group A Streptoccus
Group A streptococcal infection
The group A streptococcus bacterium is a form of β-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria responsible for most cases of streptococcal illness. Other types may also cause infection...
, also known as GAS): the CovR/S system and Mga
Mga (protein)
Mga is a DNA-binding protein that activates the expression of several important virulence genes in Streptococcus pyogenes in response to changing environmental conditions. The family also contains VirR like proteins which match only at the C-terminus.Mga is a wide-reaching regulator, affecting...
regulator. This RNA, along with its downstream protein-coding gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
RivR, are the first discovered links between these two important regulation networks. An extra protein linking the two pathways, TrxR, was described a year later. The adjoining of these two pathways could allow a consistently high virulence
Virulence
Virulence is by MeSH definition the degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of parasites as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenicity of an organism - its ability to cause disease - is determined by its...
of S. pyogenes despite a variety of environmental conditions.
RivX is thought to be co-transcribed with RivR mRNA
Messenger RNA
Messenger RNA is a molecule of RNA encoding a chemical "blueprint" for a protein product. mRNA is transcribed from a DNA template, and carries coding information to the sites of protein synthesis: the ribosomes. Here, the nucleic acid polymer is translated into a polymer of amino acids: a protein...
before post-transcriptional processing releases the sRNA. It was found to be a non-coding transcript through site-directed mutagenesis
Site-directed mutagenesis
Site-directed mutagenesis, also called site-specific mutagenesis or oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, is a molecular biology technique in which a mutation is created at a defined site in a DNA molecule. In general, this form of mutagenesis requires that the wild type gene sequence be known...
experimentation.
In total, the GAS genome is now predicted to encode 75 total sRNAs, a number approximately equal to the number of transcription factors encoded by the genome, which shows the importance of RNA regulation in GAS.