Developmental changes in the expression of S-acyl fatty acid synthase thioesterase gene and lipid composition in the uropygial gland of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

AbstractAltering membrane protein and lipid composition is an important strategy for maintaining membrane integrity during environmental stress. Many bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) control membrane protein production, but sRNA-mediated regulation of membrane fatty acid composition is less understood. The sRNA RydC was previously shown to stabilize cfa (cyclopropane fatty acid synthase) mRNA, resulting in higher levels of cyclopropane fatty acids in the cell membrane. Here, we report that three additional sRNAs, ArrS, CpxQ, and GadF also regulate cfa post-transcriptionally. RydC, ArrS, and GadF act through masking an RNase E cleavage site in the cfa mRNA 5’ untranslated region (UTR), and all three sRNAs post-transcriptionally activate cfa. In contrast, CpxQ binds to a different site in the cfa mRNA 5’ UTR and represses cfa. Alteration of membrane lipid composition is a key mechanism for bacteria to survive low pH environments, and we show that cfa translation increases in an sRNA-dependent manner when cells are subjected to mild acid stress. This work suggests an important role for sRNAs in the acid stress response through regulation of cfa mRNA.

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Terminal differentiation in the avian uropygial gland. Accumulation of fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme in non-dividing cells

Cell and Tissue Research ◽

10.1007/bf00219076 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 250 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

RobertA. Jenik ◽

JudithE. Fisch ◽

AlanG. Goodridge

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Malic Enzyme ◽

Fatty Acid Synthase ◽

Terminal Differentiation ◽

Uropygial Gland ◽

Dividing Cells

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[13] Fatty acid synthase from the uropygial gland of goose

Methods in Enzymology - Lipids Part C ◽

10.1016/0076-6879(81)71015-2 ◽

1981 ◽

pp. 103-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

P.E. Kolattukudy ◽

A.J. Poulose ◽

J.S. Buckner

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Fatty Acid Synthase ◽

Uropygial Gland

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Bacterial Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Synthase mRNA Is Targeted by Activating and Repressing Small RNAs

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.00461-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 201 (19) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Colleen M. Bianco ◽

Kathrin S. Fröhlich ◽

Carin K. Vanderpool

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Membrane Protein ◽

Lipid Composition ◽

Small Rnas ◽

Fatty Acid Synthase ◽

Acid Stress ◽

Membrane Lipid ◽

Stress Conditions ◽

Cyclopropane Fatty Acid ◽

Membrane Lipid Composition

ABSTRACT Altering membrane protein and lipid composition is an important strategy for maintaining membrane integrity during environmental stress. Many bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) control membrane protein production, but sRNA-mediated regulation of membrane fatty acid composition is less well understood. The sRNA RydC was previously shown to stabilize cfa (cyclopropane fatty acid synthase) mRNA, resulting in higher levels of cyclopropane fatty acids in the cell membrane. Here, we report that additional sRNAs, ArrS and CpxQ, also directly regulate cfa posttranscriptionally. RydC and ArrS act through masking an RNase E cleavage site in the cfa mRNA 5′ untranslated region (UTR), and both sRNAs posttranscriptionally activate cfa. In contrast, CpxQ binds to a different site in the cfa mRNA 5′ UTR and represses cfa expression. Alteration of membrane lipid composition is a key mechanism for bacteria to survive low-pH environments, and we show that cfa translation increases in an sRNA-dependent manner when cells are subjected to mild acid stress. This work suggests an important role for sRNAs in the acid stress response through regulation of cfa mRNA. IMPORTANCE Small RNAs (sRNAs) in bacteria are abundant and play important roles in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression, particularly under stress conditions. Some mRNAs are targets for regulation by multiple sRNAs, each responding to different environmental signals. Uncovering the regulatory mechanisms governing sRNA-mRNA interactions and the relevant conditions for these interactions is an ongoing challenge. In this study, we discovered that multiple sRNAs control membrane lipid composition by regulating stability of a single mRNA target. The sRNA-dependent regulation occurred in response to changing pH and was important for cell viability under acid stress conditions. This work reveals yet another aspect of bacterial physiology controlled at the posttranscriptional level by sRNA regulators.

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