Biomaterial Database

Degradation of rRNA in Salmonella strains: a novel mechanism to regulate the concentrations of rRNA and ribosomes. 1994

D Hsu, and L M Shih, and Y C Zee

Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093.

We have previously shown that the 23S rRNA of Salmonella strains is highly fragmented by specific enzyme cleavages. In this article, we report that 23S rRNA of Salmonella strains is rapidly degraded as the cells enter the stationary phase. More than 90% of the 23S rRNA is degraded when the cells reach the stationary phase. The rate of degradation of 23S rRNA correlated with its degree of fragmentation. This degradation is probably mediated by newly synthesized protein factor(s), since treatment with chloramphenicol or rifampin inhibits the rRNA degradation. We propose that degradation of 23S rRNA is a novel mechanism in the regulation of the bacterial 23S rRNA and ribosome concentration and that this additional regulatory mechanism provides some selective advantage to cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002455	Cell Division	The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION.	M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D012270	Ribosomes	Multicomponent ribonucleoprotein structures found in the CYTOPLASM of all cells, and in MITOCHONDRIA, and PLASTIDS. They function in PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS via GENETIC TRANSLATION.	Ribosome
D012338	RNA, Ribosomal, 23S	Constituent of 50S subunit of prokaryotic ribosomes containing about 3200 nucleotides. 23S rRNA is involved in the initiation of polypeptide synthesis.	23S Ribosomal RNA,23S rRNA,RNA, 23S Ribosomal,Ribosomal RNA, 23S,rRNA, 23S
D012475	Salmonella	A genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that utilizes citrate as a sole carbon source. It is pathogenic for humans, causing enteric fevers, gastroenteritis, and bacteremia. Food poisoning is the most common clinical manifestation. Organisms within this genus are separated on the basis of antigenic characteristics, sugar fermentation patterns, and bacteriophage susceptibility.