RcsR1 small RNA

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RcsR1 is a small regulatory RNA (sRNA) that helps rhizobia respond to stress, such as cold and salty conditions. It acts in trans to regulate other genes and is conserved in Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium, and Agrobacterium. Its stem-loop structures bind multiple target mRNAs and influence how much protein is made from them. Known targets include PhoR, MotE, anti-σE1, GntR, FgA, and TrpC. In Sinorhizobium meliloti, the central region is less conserved and allows a species-specific interaction with the 5’ UTR of sinI mRNA, which encodes an autoinducer synthase. This binding lowers sinI translation, reducing autoinducer production.