Characterization of Hfq-like Protein in Mycobacterium

The bacterial adaptation is an extremely complex process that requires transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. Small RNA regulation is one of the significant pathways that provide immediate responses to the environmental changing conditions, and Hfq is a small RNA binding protein that plays important roles in this process. Hfq and sRNA-mediated gene regulation is extensively studied in Gram-negative bacteria in the last decade but little is known about those in Gram-positive bacteria. We identified for the first time the Hfq-like protein in Mycobacterium. In this project, we set out to characterize the Hfq-like protein biochemically and study its physiological roles in Mycobacterium. The understanding of its functional networking will enhance our knowledge between the post-transcriptional regulation and the physiology of Mycobacteria. Moreover, the Hfq-like protein could be a potential druggable target for future therapeutic development.