RNA Degradation in Staphylococcus aureus: Diversity of Ribonucleases and Their Impact

Figure 1

RNA decay in S. aureus. The proposed scheme of RNA decay is based on B. subtilis and S. aureus data. The first degradation step is likely initiated by pyrophosphate removal from 5′ triphosphorylated ends of primary transcripts. This step is catalyzed by RppH-like enzymes and is followed by an RNase Y-dependent endonucleolytic cleavage. RNAs with 5′ monophosphate ends are degraded by the bifunctional enzyme RNase J made of RNases J1 and J2. PNPase degrades RNAs from their 3′ end. Oligonucleotides are then likely degraded into nucleotides by an oligoribonuclease.