Findings in RNA research reported from K.D. Passalacqua and co-researchers
2009 JUL 10 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Although gene expression has been studied in bacteria for decades, many aspects of the bacterial transcriptome remain poorly understood. Transcript structure, operon linkages, and information on absolute abundance all provide valuable insights into gene function and regulation, but none has ever been determined on a genome-wide scale for any bacterium," scientists writing in the Journal of Bacteriology report. "Indeed, these aspects of the prokaryotic transcriptome have been explored on a large scale in only a few instances, and consequently little is known about the absolute composition of the mRNA population within a bacterial cell. Here we report the use of a high-throughput sequencing-based approach in assembling the first comprehensive, single-nucleotide resolution view of a bacterial transcriptome. We sampled the Bacillus anthracis transcriptome under a variety of growth conditions and showed that the data provide an accurate and high-resolution map of transcript start sites and operon structure throughout the genome. Further, the sequence data identified previously nonannotated regions with significant transcriptional activity and enhanced the accuracy of existing genome annotations. Finally, our data provide estimates of absolute transcript abundance and suggest that there is significant transcriptional heterogeneity within a clonal, synchronized bacterial population," wrote K.D. Passalacqua and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Overall, our results offer an unprecedented view of gene expression and regulation in a bacterial cell.." Passalacqua and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Bacteriology (Structure and Complexity of a Bacterial Transcriptome. Journal of Bacteriology, 2009;191(10):3203-3211). Additional information can be obtained by contacting N.H. Bergman, Georgia Institute Technology, School Biology, 310 Ferst Dr., Rm 231, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. The publisher of the Journal of Bacteriology can be contacted at: American Society Microbiology, 1752 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-2904, USA. Keywords: United States, Atlanta, RNA Research. This article was prepared by Genomics & Genetics Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Genomics & Genetics Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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