Small RNA regulation of virulence in Erwinia amylovora
TL;DR
The central role of sRNAs in the adaptive fitness of E. amylovora within host environments is underscored, with a particular focus on the Hfq-associated trans -encoded sRNAs ArcZ and RprA.
Abstract
Non-coding small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are integral components of the multilayered regulatory networks that modulate diverse physiological processes and the expression of pathogenicity and virulence determinants in pathogenic bacteria. By enabling rapid responses to environmental cues, sRNAs facilitate bacterial adaptation to distinct ecological niches. In Erwinia amylovora , the causal agent of fire blight disease of Rosaceous plants, emerging evidence demonstrates that sRNAs play a pivotal role as post-transcriptional modulators of key pathogenesis features such as flagellar motility, Type III secretion expression, exopolysaccharide production, and biofilm formation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mechanism of action of sRNAs in E. amylovora and their implications in the regulation of pathogenicity and virulence determinants, with a particular focus on the Hfq-associated trans -encoded sRNAs ArcZ and RprA. This review underscores the central role of sRNAs in the adaptive fitness of E. amylovora within host environments.