The small untranslated RNA SR1 from the Bacillus subtilis genome is involved in the regulation of arginine catabolism

Whereas about 70 small non-coding RNAs have been found in the Escherichia coli genome, relatively little is known about regulatory RNAs from Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we demonstrate that the recently identified small untranslated RNA SR1 from the Bacillus subtilis genome is a regulatory RNA involved in fine-tuning of arginine catabolism. 2D protein gel electrophoresis indicated three possible SR1 targets that are regulated by the transcriptional activator AhrC, which was shown to be the primary target of SR1. In vitro pairing studies and an in vivo reporter gene test demonstrated a specific interaction between SR1 and ahrC mRNA. This interaction did not lead to degradation of ahrC mRNA, but inhibited translation at a post-initiation stage. Our data show that the Hfq chaperone was not required for the stabilization of SR1 in vivo. The amount of SR1 was increased upon addition of L-arginine and L-ornithine, but not L-citrulline or L-proline.