Regulatory mechanisms of RNases in Bacillus subtilis

Regulatory RNAs play a major role in the regulation of gene expression. They can be encoded in cis or trans of their target RNAs.

We demonstrated in several studies that trans acting RNAs in B. Subtilis modulate RNase access to mRNAs and thus interfere with mRNA degradation pathways. That is the case of the small regulatory RNA RoxS, which modulates the degradation of its targets such as sucCD (encoding succinate dehydrogenase) or yflS (encoding a malate transporter). We have also demonstrated that RoxS, by modulating the level of numerous RNAs encoding central metabolic enzymes, participates in the control of the cell's NAD/NADH ratio.

We are currently focusing on the direct control of RNase expression by antisense regulatory RNAs. Indeed, at least 2 exoribonucléases of B. Subtilis (namely RNase J2 and nanoRNase A) are regulated by these antisense RNAs.

In parallel, we are interested in the post-translational modifications of RNases (acetylation and phosphorylation) in order to understand the influence of these modifications on RNases activity and the impact on the control of RNA stability.