Bacterial RNA Degradosomes: Molecular Machines under Tight Control

Trends Biochem Sci. 2020 Jan;45(1):42-57. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.10.002. Epub 2019 Nov 1.

Abstract

Bacterial RNA degradosomes are multienzyme molecular machines that act as hubs for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The ribonuclease activities of these complexes require tight regulation, as they are usually essential for cell survival while potentially destructive. Recent studies have unveiled a wide variety of regulatory mechanisms including autoregulation, post-translational modifications, and protein compartmentalization. Recently, the subcellular organization of bacterial RNA degradosomes was found to present similarities with eukaryotic messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) granules, membraneless compartments that are also involved in mRNA and protein storage and/or mRNA degradation. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the composition and targets of RNA degradosomes, the most recent developments regarding the regulation of these machineries, and their similarities with the eukaryotic mRNP granules.

Keywords: RNA degradation; RNA degradosome; RNA maturation; compartmentalization; mRNP granules; membraneless organelles; post-transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endoribonucleases / genetics
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / genetics
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism*
  • Polyribonucleotide Nucleotidyltransferase / genetics
  • Polyribonucleotide Nucleotidyltransferase / metabolism*
  • RNA Helicases / genetics
  • RNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism*

Substances

  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • degradosome
  • Polyribonucleotide Nucleotidyltransferase
  • Endoribonucleases
  • RNA Helicases