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Association of OLE RNA with bacterial membranes via an RNA–protein interaction
Author(s) -
Block Kirsten F.,
PuertaFernandez Elena,
Wallace Jason G.,
Breaker Ronald R.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07439.x
Subject(s) - biology , rna , ribonucleoprotein , gene , signal recognition particle rna , non coding rna , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , biochemistry
Summary Ornate, large, extremophilic (OLE) RNAs are large, non‐coding transcripts characterized by their ornate secondary structure and presence predominantly in Gram‐positive, extremophilic bacteria. A gene for an OLE‐associated protein (OAP) is almost always located immediately downstream of the OLE gene. OAP has no extensive homology to other proteins and is predicted to form multiple transmembrane domains. We show that this protein forms a ribonucleoprotein complex with OLE RNA using at least 2:1 protein : RNA stoichiometry. A series of truncated OLE RNA constructs was used to establish that most of the RNA can be deleted without eliminating protein binding. Two primary binding sites are present within the RNA, although additional binding determinants exist and extensive structural stabilization is induced by OAP. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used in Escherichia coli to demonstrate that ribonucleoprotein complex formation localizes the RNA near cell membranes of this heterologous system. Therefore, the majority of the complex structure formed by OLE RNA may perform a biochemical function that requires membrane localization.