Regulation of pathogen metabolism by small RNA

Abstract

There is a growing appreciation of the important role of small RNA (sRNA) molecules in post-transcriptional regulation of bacterial gene expression. sRNA transcripts are encoded within intergenic regions or in antisense orientation to mRNA transcripts, and sRNA regulation plays a central role in the response to stress stimuli encountered by pathogens during infection. We discuss the potential importance of sRNA in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.