Small RNAs Go Global in Human Gut Bacteroides

The last two decades have seen numerous studies connecting physiological behaviors in Bacteroides-including polysaccharide degradation and capsule production-with elements of global regulation, but a complete model is still elusive. A new study by Adams et al. in this issue of the Journal of Bacteriology reveals another layer of regulation by describing a novel family of RNA-binding proteins in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron that modify expression of genes involved in carbohydrate utilization and capsule expression, among others (A. N. D. Adams, M. S. Azam, Z. A. Costliow, X. Ma, et al., J Bacteriol 203: e00217-21, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00217-21).

Automated summary

Recent studies have identified a novel family of RNA-binding proteins in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron that play a crucial role in regulating genes involved in carbohydrate utilization and capsule expression.