Featured Publications
Structure of a bacterial OapB protein with its OLE RNA target gives insights into the architecture of the OLE ribonucleoprotein complex
Yang Y, Harris KA, Widner DL, Breaker RR. Structure of a bacterial OapB protein with its OLE RNA target gives insights into the architecture of the OLE ribonucleoprotein complex. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2021, 118: e2020393118. PMID: 33619097, PMCID: PMC7936274, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020393118.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceBacillusBacterial ProteinsBase SequenceBinding SitesCloning, MolecularCrystallography, X-RayEscherichia coliGene ExpressionGene Expression Regulation, BacterialGenetic VectorsMolecular Docking SimulationNucleic Acid ConformationProtein BindingProtein Conformation, alpha-HelicalProtein Conformation, beta-StrandProtein Interaction Domains and MotifsRecombinant ProteinsRibonucleoproteinsRNA, BacterialRNA, UntranslatedConceptsOLE RNARNP complexesBiological functionsBacterial noncoding RNAsRNA-binding surfaceProtein-RNA interfacesHigh-resolution structuresUnique structural elementsKOW motifProtein partnersHigh conservationRibonucleoprotein complexesRNA classesRNA interactionsNoncoding RNAsBacterial responseOapBRNA targetsRNA fragmentsAtomic detailRNAProtein BMolecular contactsProtein AStructural features
2024
The discovery of novel noncoding RNAs in 50 bacterial genomes
Narunsky A, Higgs G, Torres B, Yu D, de Andrade G, Kavita K, Breaker R. The discovery of novel noncoding RNAs in 50 bacterial genomes. Nucleic Acids Research 2024, 52: 5152-5165. PMID: 38647067, PMCID: PMC11109978, DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae248.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBacterial genomesDomains of lifeIntergenic regionNcRNA classesGC-rich intergenic regionsBacterial domain of lifeIndividual bacterial genomesStructured noncoding RNAsNovel noncoding RNAsProtein coding genesNoncoding RNAsNcRNA motifsRiboswitch candidatesBacterial domainRiboswitch classesCoding genesGene regulationCellular processesCytidine nucleotidesBacterial speciesGenomeComputational pipelineNcRNAsDiverse functionsGenesGenetic disruption of the bacterial raiA motif noncoding RNA causes defects in sporulation and aggregation
Soares L, King C, Fernando C, Roth A, Breaker R. Genetic disruption of the bacterial raiA motif noncoding RNA causes defects in sporulation and aggregation. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2318008121. PMID: 38306478, PMCID: PMC10861870, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318008121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMotif RNAsGenetic disruptionSecondary structure modelKnock-out strainTrans-acting factorsNoncoding RNAsCell differentiation processAbundant RNATransfer RNANcRNA classesRibosomal RNASpore formationMotif genesCellular processesBacterial speciesCellular functionsBioinformatics analysisExpression analysisMotifRNAGenesBiochemical mechanismsNcRNAsDifferentiation processStructural probesDisruption of the bacterial OLE RNP complex impairs growth on alternative carbon sources
Lyon S, Wencker F, Fernando C, Harris K, Breaker R. Disruption of the bacterial OLE RNP complex impairs growth on alternative carbon sources. PNAS Nexus 2024, 3: pgae075. PMID: 38415217, PMCID: PMC10898510, DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae075.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRNP complexesMinimal mediumWild-type cellsAlternative carbon sourcesUnfavorable growth conditionsOLE RNASuppressor selectionDiverse stressesCarbon/energy sourceProtein secretionCarbon sourceGenetic disruptionCellular adaptationNoncoding RNAsFunctional linkRNAGrowth conditionsRibonucleoproteinImpaired growthPhosphate homeostasisFundamental processesHomeostasisShort-chain alcoholsElevated MgCarbon/energy
2023
Evidence that OLE RNA is a component of a major stress‐responsive ribonucleoprotein particle in extremophilic bacteria
Breaker R, Harris K, Lyon S, Wencker F, Fernando C. Evidence that OLE RNA is a component of a major stress‐responsive ribonucleoprotein particle in extremophilic bacteria. Molecular Microbiology 2023, 120: 324-340. PMID: 37469248, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15129.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOLE RNAPrecise biochemical functionFundamental cellular processesCell growthTOR complexesProtein partnersRibonucleoprotein complexesCellular processesRNP complexesBiochemical functionsGram-positive bacteriaNoncoding RNAsRibonucleoprotein particleExtremophilic bacteriaBacterial speciesGenetic disruptionStress conditionsDiverse pathwaysRNAMetabolic adaptationCell membraneExtreme environmentsCarbon sourceBacteriaComplexesA conserved uORF in the ilvBNC mRNA of Corynebacterium species regulates ilv operon expression
Narunsky A, Kavita K, Panchapakesan S, Fris M, Breaker R. A conserved uORF in the ilvBNC mRNA of Corynebacterium species regulates ilv operon expression. Microbial Genomics 2023, 9: mgen001019. PMID: 37233150, PMCID: PMC10272879, DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBranched-chain amino acidsRNA motifsUpstream open reading framesTranscription attenuation mechanismStructured noncoding RNAsOpen reading frameRiboswitch classesTranscription attenuationProtein translationNoncoding RNAsOperon expressionGenetic approachesReading frameStart codonUORF translationStop codonBacterial speciesHost cellsGenesUORFsAmino acidsMotifCodonCommon mechanismCorynebacterium species
2018
Large Noncoding RNAs in Bacteria
Harris K, Breaker R. Large Noncoding RNAs in Bacteria. 2018, 515-526. DOI: 10.1128/9781683670247.ch30.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNcRNA classesSelfish genetic elementsLarge noncoding RNAsGenetic information processingProtein-coding regionsGroup II intronsSelf-splicing ribozymesStructured ncRNAsPrecursor tRNAsRNA splicingCellular processesDNA genomeNoncoding RNAsGenetic elementsGene expressionExon flanksPeptide bond formationRNA cleavagePhysiological adaptationsBind ionsRibozyme structureEssential roleRibozymeIntriguing possibilityBacteria
2016
Prospects for Noncoding RNA Discovery in Bacteria
Breaker R. Prospects for Noncoding RNA Discovery in Bacteria. The FASEB Journal 2016, 30 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.386.1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNoncoding RNAsNovel biochemical functionLarge noncoding RNAsBacterial noncoding RNAsRNA world organismsSelf-cleaving ribozymesRiboswitch candidatesRNA discoveryBiological validation studiesBiochemical functionsBioinformatics analysisModern cellsWorld organismsRNAGreat diversityStructural diversityNovel ribozymesRibozymeDiversityBacteriaDiscoveryRiboswitchRNAsOrganismsCells