A Cluster of Four Homologous Small RNAs Modulates C ₁ Metabolism and the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex in Rhodobacter sphaeroides under Various Stress Conditions

Abstract

Phototrophic organisms have to cope with photo-oxidative stress due to the function of chlorophylls as photosensitizers for the formation of singlet oxygen. Our study assigns an important role in photo-oxidative stress resistance to a cluster of four homologous sRNAs in the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. We reveal a function of these regulatory RNAs in the fine-tuning of C1 metabolism. A model that relates oxidative stress defense to C1 metabolism is presented.