Characterization of a small non-coding RNA S612 in Bacillus subtilis

Anqi Peng; Weijiao Zhang; Haibo Xiong; Luyao Zhang; Jian Cheng; Yang Wang; Zhen Kang

Engineering Microbiology (Mar 2025)

Characterization of a small non-coding RNA S612 in Bacillus subtilis

Anqi Peng,
Weijiao Zhang,
Haibo Xiong,
Luyao Zhang,
Jian Cheng,
Yang Wang,
Zhen Kang

Affiliations

Anqi Peng: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Weijiao Zhang: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Haibo Xiong: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Luyao Zhang: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Jian Cheng: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Yang Wang: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
Zhen Kang: The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Food Synthetic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 100186

Abstract

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Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules that fine-tune various cellular processes and respond to various environmental stimuli. In Bacillus subtilis, the regulatory mechanisms and specific targets of several sRNAs remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized S612 as a self-terminating sRNA in B. subtilis. The expression of S612 is regulated by external signals, including nutrient availability and salt concentration. Overexpression of S612 induced filamentous cells with extensive cellular elongation and complete inhibition of sporulation, indicating its potential to control cell morphology and spore formation. S612 directly targets and downregulates genes through post-transcriptional base pairing with mRNAs, including ylmD, trpE, ycxC, yycS, rapH, and amyE, some of which are involved in cell membrane integrity, cell wall synthesis, and sporulation initiation. Therefore, we propose that S612 is an important post-transcriptional regulator of cell morphology and sporulation.

Published in Engineering Microbiology

ISSN: 2667-3703 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology: Biotechnology; Science: Microbiology
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/engineering-microbiology

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