Elucidation of Small RNAs That Activate Transcription in Bacteria

Small non-coding RNA (sRNA) control of gene expression has been shown to play a prominent role in genetic regulation. While the majority of identified bacterial sRNAs exert their control at the translational level, a few examples of bacterial sRNAs that inhibit transcription have also been identified. Using an engineered combinatorial RNA library, we have elucidated bacterial sRNAs that activate transcription of a target gene in E. coli to varying degrees. Mutation of the strongest activator modified its activation potential. Our results suggest that transcriptional activation of our target gene results from recruitment of the bacterial RNA polymerase complex to the promoter region. These data, coupled with the malleability of RNA, provide a context to define synthetic control of genes in bacteria at the transcriptional level.