Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
Global Regulatory Systems01:28

Global Regulatory Systems

Global regulatory systems in bacteria enable rapid and coordinated responses to environmental changes by integrating sensory inputs with gene expression, ensuring efficient adaptation to fluctuating conditions. Key global regulatory mechanisms include regulons, two-component systems, sigma factors, and secondary messengers.Regulons and Global RegulatorsA regulon is a collection of genes and operons controlled by a common global regulator. These regulators enable bacteria to prioritize resource...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Distribution of prophage-encoded Pas sRNAs across pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

De novo origin of numerous microproteins in enterobacteria.

Nucleic acids research·2025
Same author

RNA-RNA interactome approaches provide in vivo evidence for a critical role of the Hfq rim face in sRNA-mRNA pairing.

Nucleic acids research·2025
Same author

Detection and Quantitation of Small Proteins Using Mass Spectrometry.

Molecular & cellular proteomics : MCP·2025
Same author

RNA-RNA Interactome Approaches Provide <i>in vivo</i> Evidence for a Critical Role of the Hfq Rim Face in sRNA-mRNA Pairing.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

An exciting future for microbial molecular biology and physiology.

mBio·2025
Same journal

A viral ORFeome library for systems-level genetic dissection of host-pathogen interactions.

Cell·2026
Same journal

Co-option of lysosomal machinery shapes the evolution of the intracellular photosymbiosis supporting coral reefs.

Cell·2026
Same journal

LEF1 and niche factors determine T cell stemness across chronic diseases.

Cell·2026
Same journal

Recurrent patterns of TOP1-mediated neuronal genomic damage shared by major neurodegenerative disorders.

Cell·2026
Same journal

Four-dimensional molecular mapping from a spatial snapshot reveals the dynamics of hair follicle organogenesis.

Cell·2026
Same journal

Whole-cell particle-based digital twin simulations from 4D lattice light-sheet microscopy data.

Cell·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

DNA-affinity-purified Chip (DAP-chip) Method to Determine Gene Targets for Bacterial Two component Regulatory Systems
12:24

DNA-affinity-purified Chip (DAP-chip) Method to Determine Gene Targets for Bacterial Two component Regulatory Systems

Published on: July 21, 2014

Regulatory RNAs in bacteria.

Lauren S Waters1, Gisela Storz

  • 1Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Cell
|February 26, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacteria use various RNA molecules, like mRNA leaders, small RNAs, and CRISPR RNAs, for gene regulation. This review explores their diverse mechanisms, roles, and emerging themes in bacterial gene expression.

More Related Videos

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria
08:34

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2021

A Non-Coding Small RNA MicC Contributes to Virulence in Outer Membrane Proteins in Salmonella Enteritidis
06:30

A Non-Coding Small RNA MicC Contributes to Virulence in Outer Membrane Proteins in Salmonella Enteritidis

Published on: January 27, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

DNA-affinity-purified Chip (DAP-chip) Method to Determine Gene Targets for Bacterial Two component Regulatory Systems
12:24

DNA-affinity-purified Chip (DAP-chip) Method to Determine Gene Targets for Bacterial Two component Regulatory Systems

Published on: July 21, 2014

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria
08:34

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2021

A Non-Coding Small RNA MicC Contributes to Virulence in Outer Membrane Proteins in Salmonella Enteritidis
06:30

A Non-Coding Small RNA MicC Contributes to Virulence in Outer Membrane Proteins in Salmonella Enteritidis

Published on: January 27, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacteria employ a wide array of RNA-based gene regulatory mechanisms.
  • Regulatory RNAs, including mRNA leaders, small RNAs, and CRISPR RNAs, play crucial roles in controlling gene expression.
  • While known for decades, the full importance and prevalence of bacterial regulatory RNAs are now being recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the known mechanisms and functions of regulatory RNAs in bacteria.
  • To highlight emerging themes in the field of bacterial regulatory RNAs.
  • To discuss outstanding questions and future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on bacterial regulatory RNAs.
  • Synthesis of information on diverse RNA-mediated gene regulation strategies.
  • Identification and discussion of common principles and novel findings.

Main Results:

  • Detailed overview of cis-acting mRNA leaders, trans-acting small RNAs, and CRISPR RNAs.
  • Explanation of how these RNAs interact with proteins or other nucleic acids.
  • Examples of regulatory RNAs controlling gene expression in response to environmental cues.

Conclusions:

  • Regulatory RNAs are fundamental to bacterial gene expression and adaptation.
  • The study of regulatory RNAs continues to reveal novel mechanisms and expand our understanding of bacterial biology.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complexity and roles of these molecules.