Molecular mechanism of gene silencing by an RNA chaperone

Understanding how bacteria adapt and survive is crucial for tackling challenges like antibiotic resistance. This research focuses on a unique interaction between two molecules, RocR and RocC, in Legionella pneumophila, a bacterium that can cause serious infections. RocC is a type of RNA chaperone, a protein that helps RNA molecules fold correctly. Unlike other chaperones, RocC binds specifically to RocR, a small RNA, forming a complex that plays a key role in regulating bacterial competence - the ability of bacteria to take up DNA from their environment. This process is linked to the development of antibiotic resistance. The RocR- RocC complex works by preventing certain bacterial genes from being activated, but only when both RocR and RocC are present. We believe this complex acts as a signal, controlling how bacteria respond to their surroundings. While recent studies have revealed the structure of the RocR-RocC complex, the exact mechanism of how RocC influences RocRs ability to bind to other RNA molecules remains unclear. The project aims to uncover the molecular details of this interaction using advanced techniques in structural biology, chemistry, and cell biology. Researchers will study how RocR and RocC work together, how they interact with other RNA molecules, and how these processes are regulated inside bacterial cells. By combining expertise from three specialized labs, the team hopes to develop a detailed model of how this molecular system operates and validate their findings through experiments in living bacteria. The results of this study will provide new insights into how bacteria regulate their ability to adapt and survive, which is essential for understanding natural transformation - a process linked to antibiotic resistance. This innovative research could pave the way for new strategies to combat bacterial infections and address the growing threat of antibiotic- resistant pathogens.