VR-RNA
In molecular biology, VR-RNA is a small RNA produced by Clostridium perfringens. It functions as a regulator of the two-component VirR/VirS system.[1][2]
VR-RNA regulates numerous genes including:
- Toxin-encoding genes plc, colA and cpb2[3][4][5]
- Other virulence-related genes such as hyaluronidases and sialidase[6]
- Possible collagen adhesin gene (cna)[7]
- Extracellular nuclease, cadA[8]
- Enzymes such as Acid phosphatase, Heme oxygenase HemO and N-acetylglucosaminidases[9][10][11]
- Genes encoding transport proteins[12]
- Genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism[13]
- Genes encoding transport proteins[14]
- Arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway genes[15]
- Genes involved in citrate metabolism[16]
VR-RNA regulates the toxin colA (collagenase) by base-pairing to colA mRNA, the 3′ end of VR-RNA base-pairs to a region in the 5′UTR of the colA mRNA. This induces cleavage of the colA mRNA in the 5′ UTR and leads to stabilisation of the mRNA and increased translation.[17]