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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
10:17
An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations
Published on: November 3, 2010
23.4K
Noncontiguous operon is a genetic organization for coordinating bacterial gene expression.
S Sáenz-Lahoya1, N Bitarte1, B García1
1Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis, Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
Summary
Scientists discovered a new bacterial operon structure called "noncontiguous operons." These operons contain genes transcribed in opposite directions, challenging the traditional view of bacterial gene organization and regulation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bacterial genes are typically organized into operons, clusters of adjacent genes transcribed as a single mRNA molecule.
- This organization allows for efficient coordination of gene expression and is fundamental to bacterial gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel higher-level organization of bacterial operons termed "noncontiguous operons."
- To investigate the transcriptional architecture and regulatory mechanisms of these operons.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene clusters involved in menaquinone synthesis in *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- Transcriptional analysis to identify overlapping transcripts and their regulation.
- Investigating the role of RNase III processing in gene expression.
Main Results:
- Identified a noncontiguous operon in *Staphylococcus aureus* (menE-menC-MW1733-ytkD-MW1731) involved in menaquinone synthesis.
- Demonstrated that a gene (MW1733) within the operon is transcribed in the opposite direction to the other genes.
- Showed that overlapping transcripts are mutually regulated by transcriptional interference and RNase III processing.
Conclusions:
- The canonical view of operon structure needs revision to include noncontiguous operons.
- This arrangement combines cotranscription and overlapping transcription for coordinated gene expression.
- Noncontiguous operons represent a significant finding in bacterial gene regulation.
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