Identification of novel sRNAs in Brucella abortus 2308.

Involved in diverse biological processes, bacterial sRNAs are novel regulators of gene expression involved in a wide array of biological processes. To identify sRNAs in Brucella abortus, we performed a genome-wide computational prediction with integrated SIPHT and NAPP results. In total, 129 sRNA candidates were identified, of which 112 were novel sRNA. Twenty novel sRNA candidates were tested by RT-PCR and seven could be verified. The putative targets of these sRNAs were also predicted and verified. This study provides a significant resource for the future study of sRNAs, as well as how sRNAs influence B. abortus physiology and pathogenesis.