Theoretical studies on sRNA-mediated regulation in bacteria

Chang Xiao-Xue^b), Xu Liu-Fang†^a),^b), Shi Hua-Lin‡^b)

Small RNA-based regulatory mechanisms of mRNA expression. (a) sRNA blocks translation of mRNA by directly binding to the ribosome binding site (RBS) of mRNA. (b) and (c) The binding of sRNA on mRNA sequesters the ribosome, because of which endonuclease sites are exposed to degradation by RNase E in a passive or active manner. (d) The RBS region of mRNA shows intra-base-pairing in the absence of sRNA that inhibits translation of mRNA. The binding of sRNA loosens the RBS so that it is available in a form of a single strand for translation by the ribosome. The grey ovals indicate the ribosomes that are involved in the translation of mRNA. The purple circles indicate the proteins generated. AUG is the start codon for translation of mRNA.^{[ 17 ]}