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Pseudomonas genetics: small regulatory RNAs

Applicant Haas Dieter
Number 100180
Funding scheme Project funding
Research institution Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Institution of higher education University of Lausanne - LA
Main discipline Experimental Microbiology
Start/End 01.04.2003 - 30.09.2008
Approved amount 783'963.00
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Keywords (5)

Pseudomonas; Small RNA; Global control; Two-component system; Genomics

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
Bacterial chromosomes consist essentially of genes that encode proteins or structural RNAs, with little chromosomal DNA left in intergenic regions, i.e. located between genes. This is a traditional view. Recent attention to intergenic regions has revealed that in fact many of them code for small regulatory RNAs. In a group of common bacteria, the pseudomonads, there might be more than a hundred such small RNAs. However, for only a handful of them are the functions known. In our research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a pathogen) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (a plant-protecting biocontrol agent) we are focusing on three small RNAs that regulate the synthesis of extracellular products, which act as virulence factors for P. aeruginosa and biocontrol factors for P. fluorescens. Bacterial signal molecules (“hormones”) are very important for the synthesis of these small RNAs. When bacterial populations reach a certain density, the signals are produced in sufficient quantities to turn on small RNA synthesis. On the one hand, we are trying to understand the nature of these chemically unidentified signals. On the other hand, we are studying the biochemical functions of the small RNAs. They strongly attract a class of small RNA-binding proteins whose main function is to block translation of the extracellular products mentioned. Thus, as bacterial populations grow to higher densities, signaling will favor the expression of the small RNAs and hence of the extracellular products. This process makes P. aeruginosa an aggressive pathogen and P. fluorescens a successful biocontrol agent.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Name Institute
Gonzalez Nicolas Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Triandafillu Karine Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Sonnleitner Elisabeth Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Kay Elisabeth Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Lindell Lars Magnus Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Dénervaud Tendon Valérie Dépt de Biologie Moléculaire Végétale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Dubuis Christophe Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Frangipani Emanuela Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Humair Bérénice Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Lapouge Karine Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Shen Dakang Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Mosialos Dimitrios Département de Microbiologie Fondamentale Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine Université de Lausanne
Gaille Catherine GREEN Tox
Valverde Claudio Prog. de Investig. sobre Interacc. Biológ. Departamento de Ciencia y Technologia Universidad Nacional de Quilmes

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
56608 Pseudomonas genetics: pyochelin biosynthesis and global control of secondary metabolism 01.10.1999 Project funding
120365 Pseudomonas genetics: small RNAs in catabolite repression 01.10.2008 Project funding

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