Journal article
A Zur-dependent regulatory RNA involved in maintaining zinc homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus
Nucleic acids research, Vol.54(17), gkag894
09/18/2026
DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkag894
PMID: 42755362
Abstract
Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are key drivers of bacterial adaptation to environmental fluctuations, including iron and manganese restriction imposed by the host. This study explored the repertoire of sRNAs produced by the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in response to metal limitation. Two sRNAs were identified, S1077 and ZinS, that were regulated by zinc (Zn) availability. Further investigations revealed that, similar to the cnt operon from which it derives, S1077 synthesis is controlled by the transcription factors Zur and Fur. In contrast, zinS transcription is solely repressed by Zur. RNA affinity purification identified several ZinS-associated mRNAs encoding Zn-dependent enzymes, including the alcohol dehydrogenase Adh, whose synthesis is negatively regulated by ZinS. Loss of ZinS does not alter staphylococcal metal accumulation, suggesting a role in a Zn-sparing response. Remarkably, zinS also encodes a small peptide, ZinP. Genomic analysis shows that the regulatory portion of zinS emerged from the 3' untranslated region of zinP and is conserved in S. aureus and closely related species, whereas zinP is also found in phylogenetically distant organisms. Our findings demonstrate that sRNAs facilitate bacterial adaptation to Zn limitation, and that genetic exchange and subsequent neofunctionalization have enabled S. aureus to adapt to metal-restricted environments.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Zur-dependent regulatory RNA involved in maintaining zinc homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus
- Creators
- Mathilde Charbonnier - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNHugo Racine - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNSamuel Probst-Lotze - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNJana N Radin - University of IowaGustavo Rios-Delgado - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyLiangyu Lyu - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyHannah M Laster - University of IowaMaximilian P Kohl - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNRafał Mazgaj - Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of SciencesMarion Blum - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNVirginie Marchand - Université de LorraineJohana Chicher - Université de StrasbourgPascale Romby - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNStefano Marzi - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNIsabelle Caldelari - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arNJai J Tree - UNSW SydneyKevin J Waldron - Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of SciencesJeffrey M Boyd - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyJulien Y Dutheil - Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyThomas E Kehl-Fie - University of IowaDavid Lalaouna - Architecture et Réactivité de l'arN
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nucleic acids research, Vol.54(17), gkag894
- DOI
- 10.1093/nar/gkag894
- PMID
- 42755362
- NLM abbreviation
- Nucleic Acids Res
- ISSN
- 0305-1048
- eISSN
- 1362-4962
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Grant note
- ANR-10-IDEX-0002 / Thomas Jefferson Fund ANR-20-SFRI-0012 / SFRI-STRAT'US ANR-17-EURE-0023 / EUR IMCBio ANR-10-IDEX-0002 / Interdisciplinary Thematic Institute IMCBio+ R01AI179695 / NIAID NIH HHS ANR-20-CE12-0021 / Agence Nationale de la Recherche GNT2028572 / University of Iowa's Year 2 P3 Strategic Initiatives Program DP220101938 / Australian Research Council ANR-10-IDEX-0002 / University of Strasbourg, CNRS and Inserm, IdEx Unistra GNT2028572 / National Health and Medical Research Council
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/18/2026
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Record Identifier
- 9985231344002771
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