基因表达的调控发生在转录、转录后以及翻译多个水平。非编码调控小RNA（sRNA）作为一种不编码蛋白质的反式作用的小RNA，在微生物基因表达调控以及快速响应环境压力胁迫过程中发挥着不可替代的作用。以往研究集中在革兰氏阴性模式微生物大肠杆菌，相关调控机制已清楚。近期研究表明sRNA在枯草芽孢杆菌基因表达调控中也发挥着重要的调控功能。然而，枯草芽孢杆菌sRNA研究较少，相关sRNA的调控功能与机制仍然不清楚。本项目将鉴定枯草芽孢杆菌sRNA及其调控靶基因。通过结合sRNA伴侣分子Hfq功能研究，揭示枯草芽孢杆菌sRNA的生物学功能与调控方式。在此基础上，明确sRNA在枯草芽孢杆菌基因表达与代谢调控中的角色并开发基于sRNA的新型调控系统。本项目研究成果有助于枯草芽孢杆菌平台菌株的优化，有助于拓展枯草芽孢杆菌在基础研究与工业生物技术产业中的应用。

Gene expression regulation occurs at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translation levels. Small noncoding regulatory RNA (sRNA), one type of trans-acting small RNAs that do not encode proteins, plays an irreplaceable role in gene expression regulation and the rapid response to environmental stress. Previous studies mainly focused on Escherichia coli, the Gram-negative model microorganism, and the regulatory mechanism has been clear. In contrast, recent studies have indicated that sRNA also plays an important role in gene expression regulation in Bacillus subtilis. However, there are few studies on B. subtilis sRNA and the regulatory function and mechanism of sRNA are still unclear. Here, this project is to verify new sRNAs, identify their regulatory target genes, and uncover the biological function and regulation mode of sRNAs in B. subtilis by combining studies on the function of sRNA chaperone molecule Hfq. On this basis, we will clarify the role of sRNA in gene expression regulation in B. subtilis and develop sRNA-based novel regulatory systems. The results of this project will contribute to the optimization of the B. subtilis platform, and the applications of B. subtilis in in basic research and industrial biotechnology industries.