Formation of a membraneless compartment regulates bacterial virulence

Lior Aroeti, Netanel Elbaz, Raya Faigenbaum-Romm, Oren Yakovian, Yael Altuvia, Liron Argaman, Naama Katsowich, Michal Bejerano-Sagie, Miriam Ravins, Hanah Margalit, Sigal Ben-Yehuda and Ilan Rosenshine ()
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Lior Aroeti: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Netanel Elbaz: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Raya Faigenbaum-Romm: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Oren Yakovian: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Yael Altuvia: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Liron Argaman: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Naama Katsowich: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Michal Bejerano-Sagie: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Miriam Ravins: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hanah Margalit: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Sigal Ben-Yehuda: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Ilan Rosenshine: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The RNA-binding protein CsrA regulates the expression of hundreds of genes in several bacterial species, thus controlling virulence and other processes. However, the outcome of the CsrA-mRNA interactions is modulated by competing small RNAs and other factors through mechanisms that are only partially understood. Here, we show that CsrA accumulates in a dynamic membraneless compartment in cells of E. coli and other pathogenic species. In addition to CsrA, the compartment contains components of the RNA-degrading complex (degradosome), regulatory small RNAs, and selected mRNAs. Formation of the compartment is associated with a switch between promoting and repressing virulence gene expression by CsrA. We suggest that similar CsrA switches may be widespread in diverse bacteria.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58829-9

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