Western Kentucky University
The Immunity Region of Bacteriophage HK639 Encodes an Antiterminator RNA
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Rodney King
Abstract
We have only begun to appreciate the many roles that RNA plays inside a cell. The bacterial sequence database alone has revealed a plethora of un-translated RNAs, some of which have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of gene expression. Regulatory RNAs encoded by bacteriophage have also been characterized. Phage HK022 encodes an RNA that suppresses transcription termination and thus allows full expression of phage genes that lie downstream of terminators. This mechanism of regulating gene expression is called antitermination. We have identified and sequenced a new bacteriophage (Phage HK639) that encodes a similar type of antiterminator RNA. A comparison of different antiterminator RNAs should provide important information on the sequence and structural features that are required the activity of these unusual molecules.
The Immunity Region of Bacteriophage HK639 Encodes an Antiterminator RNA
We have only begun to appreciate the many roles that RNA plays inside a cell. The bacterial sequence database alone has revealed a plethora of un-translated RNAs, some of which have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of gene expression. Regulatory RNAs encoded by bacteriophage have also been characterized. Phage HK022 encodes an RNA that suppresses transcription termination and thus allows full expression of phage genes that lie downstream of terminators. This mechanism of regulating gene expression is called antitermination. We have identified and sequenced a new bacteriophage (Phage HK639) that encodes a similar type of antiterminator RNA. A comparison of different antiterminator RNAs should provide important information on the sequence and structural features that are required the activity of these unusual molecules.