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Karen Wassarman

Assistant Professor of Bacteriology

Address:

5550 Microbial Sciences Building

Telephone:

262-8106

Email:

wassarman@bact.wisc.edu

Research Fields:

Gene Expression

Genomics

Microbial Genetics

Research Interests

Small RNA Regulators in Bacteria

Research Description

Small RNA Regulators in Bacteria

All organisms contain small RNAs that participate in diverse cellular activities including RNA processing, mRNA stability, translation, protein stability and secretion. These RNAs are defined by their size (< 350 nucleotides in length) and by the fact that they function as an RNA moiety that is not translated into protein. The research in my laboratory focuses on small RNAs in bacteria using molecular, biochemical and genetic approaches to investigate the function and mechanism of action of these RNAs. For example, the 6S RNA is a highly stable and abundant small RNA that I recently showed associates with and regulates RNA polymerase. Further investigation of 6S RNA action should lead to a better understanding of a novel mechanism to control gene expression. In addition, 6S RNA functions during stationary phase growth and thus may provide insights into how cells are able to survive extended nutrient starvation.

We recently discovered many new small RNAs using genomic and molecular approaches and my laboratory will continue to investigate a number of these novel small RNAs to elucidate their roles in the cell. Binding of a common protein (Hfq) has provided hints that some of these small RNAs may regulate translation of target mRNAs under specialized environmental growth conditions. The details of when and how these RNAs act remains to be worked out. In addition, a number of tantalizingly unique small RNAs are present. I anticipate the discovery of numerous additional small RNAs and the revelation of many of their functions will lead to a more complete understanding of the roles small RNAs play in all cells.

Representative Publications

• A.E. Trotochaud and K.M. Wassarman. 2006. 6S RNA regulation of pspF transcription leads to altered cell survival at high pH. J. Bacteriol. 188:3936-3943.
• A.E. Trotochaud and K.M. Wassarman. 2005. A highly conserved 6S RNA structure is required for regulation of transcription. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 12:313-319. pdf file.
• A.E. Trotochaud and K.M. Wassarman. 2004. 6S RNA function enhances long term cell survival. J. Bacteriol. 186:4978-4985.
• K.M. Wassarman, F. Repoila, C. Rosenow, G. Storz and S. Gottesman. 2001. Identification of novel small RNAs using comparative genomics and microarrays. Genes & Dev. 15:1637-1651.
• K. Montzka Wassarman and G. Storz. 2000. 6S RNA Regulates E. coli RNA polymerase activity. Cell 101:613-623.