RNA-controlled regulation in Caulobacter crescentus

In the past decades, Caulobacter crescentus has been extensively studied, mostly regarding its dimorphic, asymmetric life cycle. Its distinct mode of reproduction and the need to optimally adapt to ever-changing environmental conditions require tight coordination of gene regulation. Post-transcriptional regulation through non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins constitutes an important layer of expression control in bacteria, but its principles and mechanisms in Caulobacter have only recently been explored. RNA-binding proteins including the RNA chaperone Hfq and ribonuclease RNase E contribute to the activity of regulatory RNAs. Riboswitches and RNA thermometers govern expression of downstream open reading frames, while the small regulatory RNAs CrfA, ChvR and GsrN instead control targets encoded in trans by direct base-pairing interactions.