Abstract
Small RNAs gained worldwide attention in December 2002, when the journal Science published a special issue entitled “Small RNAs—Breakthrough of the Year”. However, by that time, small antisense RNAs had already been thoroughly investigated for more than 20 years for the regulation of plasmid replication/maintenance, phage replication, and transposition. Currently, it is estimated that up to 10–20% of all bacterial genes yield non-coding RNAs, many or most of which are likely to be riboregulatory. They encompass cis- and trans-encoded base pairing sRNAs, sRNAs acting via protein binding, sensory RNAs like RNA thermometers and riboswitches, as well as RNAs with other specific functions. The latter group is heterogenous and comprised of tmRNA, RNase P, 4.5S RNA, and CRISPR RNAs. The following article summarizes our current knowledge on the biochemical properties of these RNAs, their mechanisms of action, and their biological functions.
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