Glutathione contributes to the adaptive response to nitrogen starvation in Escherichia coli
File(s)
Author(s)
Ellis, Harriet
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation underpins the post-synthesis fate of protein coding mRNA in the bacterial cell. This often involves small regulatory RNA molecules and an RNA binding protein to facilitate the interaction between a regulatory RNA molecule and its cognate target mRNA molecule. Hfq is an RNA binding protein present in diverse bacterial lineages that contributes to many different aspects of RNA metabolism during gene expression. Recent work from our group and others have discovered that individual Hfq molecules in stressed E. coli cells undergo liquid-liquid phase separation and form in foci like structures. Using nitrogen (N) starvation as a model stress condition, we have previously shown through super resolution microscopy that Hfq foci formation in N starved E. coli occurs independently of gene expression. Although the biological function of Hfq foci is still being investigated, the molecular trigger(s) that precipitates Hfq foci formation is unknown. Here, we provide new data showing a role for one of the most abundant cellular tri-peptide, glutathione, in precipitating Hfq molecules to assemble into foci. The results imply a novel facet underpinning the complexity of RNA regulation in stressed bacteria.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2024-04-02
Date Awarded
2024-07-01
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Wigneshweraraj, Sivaramesh
Chen, Rongjun
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (Great Britain)
Grant Number
WDMM_G01373
Publisher Department
Department of Infectious Disease
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)