Presentation Type
Poster
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Brian M. Lee, Chemistry
Other Mentors
Gabriela C. Pérez-Alvarado , Chemistry
Major
Biochemistry
Presentation Abstract
Background: The human gut is a rich habitat for a diverse population of bacteria. These bacteria play a vital role in a multitude of functions. They affect immune responses, metabolism, and even neurological activities. Some inhabitants of the gut biome include the lactic acid bacteria: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These bacteria are essential members of the flora and are non-pathogenic, however, some of their relatives like Streptococcus pyogenes cause severe diseases such as flesh-eating disease. The metabolic functions of these bacteria are mediated by small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), which are noncoding RNA sequences that fold into complex stem-loop structures. Goal of Study: The goal of this project was to identify and characterize sRNAs that mediate bacterial metabolism and host interactions in non-pathogenic, lactic acid bacteria with homologous RNAs in pathogenic strains. Methods and Results: A small regulatory RNA that is conserved among different streptococcal species was identified. In S.pyogenes, this conserved sRNA, named MarS, is associated with virulence, however, the function of its homolog found in non-pathogenic bacteria, AsdS sRNA, has not been characterized. Computational methods were used to elucidate the function of this sRNA and predict its 2D and 3D structures. The gene containing the target sRNA was isolated and RNA constructs were designed to characterize regions that are part of it. Conclusions: A conserved sRNA species was successfully identified in S.thermophilus and cloned for synthesis by in-vitro transcription. Future work will be focused on structure determination and characterizing interactions to target sRNA through biophysical methods.
Location
Poster Session 2
Start Date
13-4-2022 4:30 PM
End Date
13-4-2022 6:30 PM
Disciplines
Chemistry
Recommended Citation
Hoxha, Klea; Oakes, William C. III; Ward, Nicole M.; and Busby, L. Brooke, "Identification and Characterization of Small Regulatory RNA in Streptococcus" (2022). Undergraduate Research Competition. 36.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2022/fullconference/36
Included in
Identification and Characterization of Small Regulatory RNA in Streptococcus
Poster Session 2
Background: The human gut is a rich habitat for a diverse population of bacteria. These bacteria play a vital role in a multitude of functions. They affect immune responses, metabolism, and even neurological activities. Some inhabitants of the gut biome include the lactic acid bacteria: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These bacteria are essential members of the flora and are non-pathogenic, however, some of their relatives like Streptococcus pyogenes cause severe diseases such as flesh-eating disease. The metabolic functions of these bacteria are mediated by small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), which are noncoding RNA sequences that fold into complex stem-loop structures. Goal of Study: The goal of this project was to identify and characterize sRNAs that mediate bacterial metabolism and host interactions in non-pathogenic, lactic acid bacteria with homologous RNAs in pathogenic strains. Methods and Results: A small regulatory RNA that is conserved among different streptococcal species was identified. In S.pyogenes, this conserved sRNA, named MarS, is associated with virulence, however, the function of its homolog found in non-pathogenic bacteria, AsdS sRNA, has not been characterized. Computational methods were used to elucidate the function of this sRNA and predict its 2D and 3D structures. The gene containing the target sRNA was isolated and RNA constructs were designed to characterize regions that are part of it. Conclusions: A conserved sRNA species was successfully identified in S.thermophilus and cloned for synthesis by in-vitro transcription. Future work will be focused on structure determination and characterizing interactions to target sRNA through biophysical methods.