The role of small RNAs in physiology and virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

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Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) play an important role in gene regulation in all domains of life. We aim at the identification and characterization of sRNAs from the plant-pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a natural genetic engineer that transfers part of its own genome into plants to re-program their metabolism resulting in tumor formation. A combined bio-computational and deep sequencing approach revealed several hundred sRNAs in A. tumefaciens. The structure and function of selected candidates will be studied in detail. To reveal fundamental housekeeping functions, preference will be given to an overlapping set of sRNAs that were identified by both strategies. Of particular interest are A. tumefaciens sRNAs from the tumor-inducing Ti plasmid. At least one sRNA is massively induced under virulence conditions. Its structure, target gene(s) and role in virulence will be addressed. microRNAs (miRNAs) might be expressed from the T-DNA that is delivered from the bacterium to the plant. The expression of computationally predicted miRNA precursors will be monitored in Agrobacterium and in planta. Identification of miRNAs in the host plant will be attempted by a deep sequencing approach.