2023/07/03 by Mie Monti, Reyme Herman, Karen Davey +6 · 2 voices
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms #RNA Research and Splicing #RNA modifications and cancer
paper · pdf · doi:10.1101/2023.07.03.547468
openalex publication_date 2023/07/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract Characterising RNA-protein interaction dynamics is fundamental to understand how bacteria respond to their environment. In this study, we have analysed the dynamics of 91% of the Escherichia coli expressed proteome and the RNA-interaction properties of 271 RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) at different growth phases. We find that 68% of RBPs differentially bind RNA across growth phases and characterise 17 previously unannotated proteins as bacterial RBPs including YfiF, a ncRNA-binding protein. While these new RBPs are mostly present in Proteobacteria, two of them have human orthologs in the form of mitochondrial proteins associated with rare metabolic disorders. Moreover, we reveal novel RBP functions for proteins such as the chaperone HtpG, a new stationary phase tRNA-binding protein. Altogether, we provide the first dynamic RBPome of a bacterium, showcasing how this approach can reveal the function of uncharacterised proteins, and identify critical RNA-protein interactions for cell growth which could inform new antimicrobial therapies.