RNA Networks in Prokaryotes II: tRNA Processing and Small RNAs

It is becoming clear that in prokaryotes RNAs interact and perform complex functions as a network similar to what we have uncovered in eukaryotes. This chapter will continue the discussion of prokaryotic molecular systems, showing how these systems can interact with each other to gain a higher level of control within the cell. Our examples include RNase P, the tRNA cleaving molecule that, as well as performing other functions, also cleaves certain ribo switches; and the glmS gene under the control of both a ribozyme in its 5′ untranslated region and two small RNAs. With further investigation of nonprotein coding RNA interactions (i.e., the RNA infrastructure), in bacteria and archaea, we gain greater understanding of the influence that small strands of RNA sequence can have over the entire cell.