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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...
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...
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...
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria01:29

Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

High-throughput Screening of Chemical Compounds to Elucidate Their Effects on Bacterial Persistence
07:25

High-throughput Screening of Chemical Compounds to Elucidate Their Effects on Bacterial Persistence

Published on: February 23, 2021

Bacterial persistence by RNA endonucleases.

Etienne Maisonneuve1, Lana J Shakespeare, Mikkel Girke Jørgensen

  • 1Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, United Kingdom.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 27, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacterial persistence, a dormant, antibiotic-tolerant state, is regulated by Lon protease and mRNA endonucleases from toxin-antitoxin loci. Lon protease degrades antitoxins, activating endonucleases to induce dormancy.

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Identification of RNA Fragments Resulting from Enzymatic Degradation using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 11, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bacterial Physiology

Background:

  • Bacteria can enter a dormant, persister state, exhibiting high tolerance to antibiotics.
  • The molecular mechanisms driving bacterial persistence remain largely unknown.
  • Toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci are common in bacteria and implicated in various cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial persistence in Escherichia coli.
  • To investigate the role of Lon protease and mRNA endonucleases (mRNases) in persistence.
  • To understand how toxin-antitoxin loci contribute to antibiotic tolerance.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic deletion of multiple mRNA endonuclease-encoding toxin-antitoxin loci in E. coli.
  • Analysis of persister cell levels following successive gene deletions.
  • Investigating the interaction between Lon protease and antitoxins.
  • Overproduction of Lon protease in wild-type and mutant strains.

Main Results:

  • Progressive deletion of mRNase-encoding TA loci significantly reduced persister cell formation.
  • Antitoxins were identified as Lon protease substrates.
  • Lon protease-deficient cells exhibited drastically reduced persistence.
  • Lon protease overproduction increased persister levels in wild-type cells.

Conclusions:

  • Lon protease and mRNases encoded by TA loci are essential for bacterial persistence.
  • A model is proposed where Lon-mediated antitoxin degradation activates mRNases, inhibiting translation and inducing dormancy.
  • This finding provides a mechanistic understanding of persistence and may inform strategies against antibiotic-tolerant pathogens.