The Csr/Rsm system of Yersinia and related pathogens: a post-transcriptional strategy for managing virulence.

Ann Kathrin Heroven, Katja Böhme, Petra Dersch

Department of Molecular Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.

RNA biology 2012 Apr

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This review emphasizes the function and regulation of the Csr regulatory system in the human enteropathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and compares its features with the homologous Csr/Rsm systems of related pathogens. The Csr/Rsm systems of eubacteria form a complex regulatory network in which redundant non-translated Csr/Rsm-RNAs bind the RNA-binding protein CsrA/RsmA, thereby preventing its interaction with mRNA targets. The Csr system is controlled by the BarA/UvrY-type of two-component sensor-regulator systems. Apart from that, common or pathogen-specific regulators control the abundance of the Csr components. The coordinate control of virulence factors and infection-linked physiological traits by the Csr/Rsm systems helps the pathogens to adapt individually to rapidly changing conditions to which they are exposed during the different stages of an infection. As Csr/Rsm function is relevant for full virulence, it represents a target suitable for antimicrobial drug development.

Citation

Ann Kathrin Heroven, Katja Böhme, Petra Dersch. The Csr/Rsm system of Yersinia and related pathogens: a post-transcriptional strategy for managing virulence. RNA biology. 2012 Apr;9(4):379-91